A/C size recommendation?

JRacer · Jul 8, 2014

My F310 has a single 12000 located under the V-berth and ducted through the bulkhead into the main salon. It does a decent job but we use a fan to move cool air into the aft berth. If I were putting this in, I would have gone larger and find a way to run a duct to the aft berth. We get lots of 100+ degree days here and it generally cools down the boat pretty quickly and keeps up.

rbenyoung · Jul 8, 2014

I had a catalina 36 with a 16000 btu unit. It was mounted under v berth with ducts in salon and v berth. It worked great. 2 units for a 343 sounds excessive to me.

CCHer · Jul 9, 2014

I have an Oceanis 37 with a 16,000 btu unit under the dining seat. Works fine in the Chesapeake heat and humidity. The only advantage I see for two smaller units in a 343 is being able to run one with a small generator to keep part of the boat cool while on the hook and perhaps easier ducting. But cost of two units and space???

reworb · Jul 9, 2014

I have a 311. I have 16k btu unit that is ducted to the forward cabin, the salon and the aft cabin. I think a 16k is a little small for all three cabins of your boat if you are as far south as I am.

Jackdaw · Jul 9, 2014

Our First 36.7 (35 feet) was commissioned in Texas and has 2 16k units, one in the main salon and one in the transom area cooling the two aft cabins. When we used the boat in Texas the two worked great and kept up with the heat gain, as well as having great distribution. After we moved the boat to MN, we only use the main unit in the salon.

So it depends on your area. But two units are not overkill in the South by any means.

Gunni · Jul 9, 2014

Trust your hunch on this one. That second A/C unit is going to take up a lot of precious space (unit + ducting). I have two units 16,000 in the main saloon/pullman, and a second 12,000 after of the quarter berth (B411). Rarely use the aft unit -it blocks access to my rudder assembly, and the ducting steals lazarette space. Save your money and install extra 12v fans to move the air around, that really helps.

Ron20324 · Jul 9, 2014

Jackdaw said:
... But two units are not overkill in the South by any means.

And, if one goes belly-up, you have the second to keep you cool.

EWARREN · Jul 9, 2014

I live in the Pensacola area and have a 351 with a 16k AC. My thoughts are you should consider how you plan to use the boat. In the summer, if we come into the dock early afternoon, it take until sunset for the AC to really cool off the inside. If we been at the dock all day, the system will keep the interior reasonably comfortable but works at max capacity and actually loses ground in the afternoon. No problem with the temperature at night.

gregrosine · Jul 14, 2014

CCHer said:
I have an Oceanis 37 with a 16,000 btu unit under the dining seat. Works fine in the Chesapeake heat and humidity. The only advantage I see for two smaller units in a 343 is being able to run one with a small generator to keep part of the boat cool while on the hook and perhaps easier ducting. But cost of two units and space???

Can I go to the auto parts store and buy one of those recharging cannisters for my AC?

Dan McCall · Jul 14, 2014

Hi SailCam,
Just our experience with the summers here in Kemah,TX.
Previous 35 foot IP had split 16K BTU system. Compressor located in the aft lazarette, one evaporator/fan unit located in the main salon and the other in the aft stateroom. System was at best marginal. When summer temperatures approached 100 we could maintain only 86-88 in the boat from noon until late afternoon.

Replaced IP with Beneteau 40. Have installed twin Cruisair 16k BTU units. They don't take up much more room than the air handlers in the IP. The one in the stern lazarette serves the aft cabin with a duct to the main salon. The second unit is in the main salon and has ducts to the forward stateroom and head. Temperatures in the salon run 78-80 during hot 98 degree afternoons and cools down rapidly after sundown. We set the thermostats around 75 during the night and the system cycles keeping the temperatures comfortably in that range.

These units create large amounts of condensate in humid conditions and will quickly fill the bilge area. We have small pumps located in the unit drip trays that discharge overboard. Sometimes that are a little noisy. Another Beneteau on our dock drains the units to a separate "mini-bilge" with its own overboard discharge pump. Works well and is a little quieter than our system.

galynd · Jul 16, 2014

One other thought.... I have a bene 36 cc with a 16000 btu. It's location is a benefit in that it is almost centered on the boat and cools fore and aft very well. It's located in the engine room. It cools the boat very well even in temps in the mid 90's. If I were to replace it with two units I'd consider a 12000 and an 8000 btu unit. The reason.... Honda 2000 generator can run one of those units but not the 16000. I would put the 8000 in the aft cabin where I sleep thus run only that one at night. Just something to think about.

amcintyre · May 29, 2015

Was wondering if you could update me on your install, please. In the Philippines, so rather warm at night - wouldn't be using during day. Sourcing units, and determining install logistics now. Tnx. Andrew

reworb · May 30, 2015

SailCam said:
I appreciate everyone's input! After talking to the mechanical contractor today, I think I'm convinced to go with a split system with one condenser and two air handler units. This is a good compromise and it saves some space and about $2k.

Oops didn't see how old the original post was sorry

About the split system I used to have one, the compressor is VERY loud, where is he planning on installing it? If its going to be in the cabin or where you plan to sleep you will hear a lot of noise, I would ask to listen to one before I put in a split system; they are really made to be installed in the engine room with the air handlers in the living part of the boat.

As to size I have a 311 and have a 16k unit. I'm in the FT Myers area and it's fine on my boat. If you're at the Shell Point by me you're boat is a lot bigger and it may not be able to cope with our summer heat.