a/c Catalina 36 MKII

[Paul]

Looking for info onthe best central unit and installation proceedures for a 2001 Catalina 36 MKII.Also if possible a ducting diagram on best duct locations

 

[Gene Foraker]

A/C on C36

I've been considering the same thing for my 1999 model and have been asking the same question on several forums. It seems there are number of methods, mainly depending on where you want the compressor and how much of the boat you want cooled. If you put the compressor under the seat in front of the galley sink, the duct work will go up and back the port side. I have considered removing the nav station seat (it only gets in the way anyway) and enclosing the space under the desk for the compressor and other storage. The ductwork would then go up and back the starboard side. Some people only cool air in two cabins and put the comressor under the v-berth (and don't cool the aft cabin at all) or in the aft and don't cool the v-berth very well. A split compressor system might be a nice idea with a large unit for forward and main and a small unit for the aft, but I haven't heard from anyone who has done this.

 

[Walt]

Did it last year

I have a 1994 Catalina 36 that I had air put on last season. I got rid of nav seat and installed a Mermaid 16.5 unit under the nav table. This simplified cooling the aft cabin, main cabin and v-berth with minimal loss of cabinet space. I had seen other 36's with the unit installed under the seat in front of the galley sinks. But that required relocating the water heater and required about 7 or more 90 degree bends in the duct work up the starboard side to reach the v-berth. Every 90 degree bend reduces airflow by about 20% according to manufacturer specs. Going along the port side was pretty much a straight run. And the v-berth cools nicely.Overall, I'm very happy with the unit and installation.Good luckWaltwalterts@aol.com