AC for Catalina 270

Jun 2, 2004
13
Catalina 270 Longview
I am thinking about buying a 1994 Catalina 270. I would like to install an air conditioner. Any experience in where and how to mount the unit and run the duct work.
 

capta

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Jun 4, 2009
5,072
Pearson 530 Admiralty Bay, Bequia SVG
On a boat that small I should imagine you'd not need more than a couple of feet of ducting. The unit itself will probably have to go under a salon settee seat near amidships and the exhaust as close to above it as possible. Air intake would be in the side of the settee right in front of the unit.
Getting water there will be a much greater concern. You will need a dedicated thruhull that can feed a centrifugal 110 volt sea water pump. Of course, that pump and it's sea strainer must be mounted below the waterline to function properly, so if you have shallow bilges, that will be your greatest problem, IMO.
Perhaps a small window unit in the companionway would be a better and certainly more affordable option.
 
Jul 14, 2015
840
Catalina 30 Stillhouse Hollow Marina
I put a stand up portable ac unit in my galley and vented through the entryway boards
 
Jun 8, 2004
10,536
-na -NA Anywhere USA
If you do plan on installing a unit, one problem is the condensation pan water emptying into the bilge which many find do not want standing water there. Mermaid makes a system whereby the water is sucked up from the condensation pan (Condensator) and discharges it out thru the overboard cooling water. Just a thought. Used them on this boat I think. a 9 will work just fine for the unit.