AC Unit for Catalina 30 - Opinions Wanted

[jimmcgee]

I'm looking at adding AC to my '95 Catalina 30, preferably a unit with reverse-cycle heat as we keep the boat in the water year round.

I'm just starting the process of looking at different manufacturers and will have the chance to talk to some of them at the Annapolis Boat show.


I'm looking for some input on:

• Pros/Cons/Reliability of different brands
• Pros/Cons/Tips on installation
• Is this a "do it yourself" job or a job best done by a pro
• If best done by a pro any recommendations on the Jersey Shore, Northern Chesapeake Bay?
• Proper size unit for a C30
• Will a Honda generator provide enough juice to run the unit when anchored?
• What are the things you don't think of until you've lived with a unit for a while?

Thanks,
Jim & Kathy
'95 Catalina 30 Goin' Coastal

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Can't respond to all questions but here are some suggestions -
it is a DIY project (took me 2 weekends liesurely working on my 40 ft'er to do the install) and saved myself the $5000 labor charge ( effort required is directly related to how and where you can run the ductwork);
Size is a function of location and boat size - in NJ with a 30 ft boat, you should be fine with a 12K unit, maybe smaller;
A Honda 2000 powers our 16K BTU CuiseAir unit fine.

You may need to consider weight distribution depending on options for locating the compressor; don't put it in close proximity to where you sleep as they are not vibration free and make sure which ever one you choose has a stainless drip pan (I believe they all do now but not positive). Obviously, make sure your 110VAC circuit onboard is designed to carry the greater load than what was expected when the boat was constructed.

 

[Chuck Creel]

Adding A/C

There are many different makes/ models out there as well as opinions. Lots depends on your climate. Here on the coast we often see temps bordering 100 deg with high humidity.

If its 96 out side, i can bring my salon to 73 deg.

my unit is 16700 BTU with a 2 KW heat strip for winter.

As mentioned above, this is a diy project. I installed mine in 2 afternoons.


All though my Honda 2000 generator will not start and run it

oh yeah, i bought it from oceanbreezeac.com in stuart Florida and will buy from them again. They have been designing and building A/C / Refridgeration systems for 32 years.

 

[Ken13559]

BEFORE you buy the AC, may I suggest you get all physical information of the Unit e.g. LxBxH, duct sizes, splitter box size, outlet louver size, phlegm box size, cable routing, etc... Then go through the act of installing these "imaginery AC" and see if it will fit the location, if the duct work will pass through the cabinetry, whether the outlet louver is blowing in right places and whether the back of the louver has the space to fit the phlegm box, whether you can cut the cabinet/location for the air intake of the AC etc.... If you're lucky, your boat manufacturer would have AC routing "cut-outs" designed into the boat thus makes things easier for you (like my Hunter). You have to think through where/how you want the cooling water intake and outlet be. I share the Raw water inlet for my Jabsco Toilet with the AC. No problem. Hence don't need to cut a through-hull inlet for AC but have to make the cooling water outlet about 12"-18" above waterline. I've 12KBTU unit for my 32footer so I guess that will suit your 30footer as well. Most AC kit comes with retangular air outlet louvers, you might want to change it to circular type as its smaller hence can easily fit most space/cabinetry and doesn't use phlegm box (which is pretty big). Don't under-estimate this installation walk-through. Even if you engage professionals to do the job, get them to walk-through with you. Make sure you're satisfied with the proposed installation placement and cut-outs else any mistake during installation work can be costly (not just money but cabinet works, cutting....) Measure Twice and cut once is NOT enough. Measure Thrice and cut once is better. Work it self takes me 2 weekends but the planning took me two months. I make sure I can virtual "see" the installed AC before I started work. Don't under estimate the size & place required by the duct & splitter box work. Good luck.

Ken
Hunter 326

 

[Stephen K]

have been considering the same project

Jim, I have been considering and researching the same project for my 1992 mkII C30. So far, here's my input:
Start with what size AND where to install. Based on my climate, I will go with a 16k unit because it gets hot,hot,hot down here in the South. You might be fine with a smaller unit. Where are you going to install it? I considered the v-berth and the stbd hanging locker. For ease of "diy", I am going with the hanging locker. The install and the ducting to the v-berth and the main salon will be fairly straightforward. Note, we do not currently store a lot of stuff in the hanging locker. (if you have the dinette model salon, I would put it in the compartment along the forward bulkhead).

You should also check out another C30, Double Dutch (you can Google it). The web site has a link to their A/C installation and a lot of good information. The owner is very pleased with his unit from Flagship Marine. It has been dependable and he stressed the fact that the replacement components are not proprietary and easy to find at non-marine facilities...this equals dollar savings. Mermaid and Oceanbreeze also get very good reviews.

I would follow Ken's advice and plan,plan,plan!!!..after deciding what unit and location, I am going to make up a cardboard box (template of the A/C unit) to make sure it fits and to determine where to install the shelf to set it on.

I look forward to reading other's input. Please post your findings from your research and the Annapolis show.

 

[jimmcgee]

Good advice

Thanks everyone, as I've started reading I'm finding that the biggest issue with these installations is locating the components and running the ductwork. Since Catalina offered AC on these boats I need to look at my breaker panel and the documentation that came with the boat to see if I can figure out which breaker the factory intended for powering the unit.

I'd like to mount the unit on the starboard side to offset the port list that every Catalina 30 seems to have, but I don't want to give up space in the hanging locker if I can help it.

Depending on the size of the unit, I'm thinking about glassing in supports alongside the fuel tank under the aft berth, bringing one duct out below the berth next to the nav station and run another duct up into the v-berth through the bilge. But there may not be as much room next to the tank as I'm remembering.

I'd be curious to find a Catalina 30 with a factory air installation to see how they did it.

I'll post what I find out at the boat show. That said the project may be put off for a while. Things are not looking good at work with this economy...:cry:

Jim

 

[Hermit Scott]

AC preference

Jim,
I looked at the double dutch sailboat's ac set up. It is completely different than mine. There seems to be a million ways to skin this cat.
I like the way mine is done though just because we sleep in the vberth.
The condenser in mine is located behind the galley on a glassed in shelf, this keeps the noise away from the vberth. The seawater pump is beside the gas tank under the stairs and the evaporator and blower is located under the vberth on the portside.
The set up is great becasue it spreads out the components and the noise is in the back. BUT if you sleep in the salon with the table down, it might be quiter having the condenser under the vberth.
I like my set up but I would have put the sea water pump in the engine compartment so the thru-hull would be easier to access and it would be with the engine and sink thru-hulls.
Another thing I don't like about my set up is that the locker near the vberth has alot of the space taken up with ductwork. I plan on building some custom ductwork that fits neatly in the bottom of the locker as a triangular shape.