Hello, and thanks in advance for your thoughts and advice. I'm considering adding air conditioning to my 1990 Hunter 30, and the only logical space seems to be to add it under the Vberth. Has anyone done this, and if so, would you like to share some things you may have learned from the process and its use? Thank you.
Adding AC to Hunter 30
- Thread starter Geronimosails
- Start date
I installed A/C on my old 91 30T. I installed the unit in the rear berth. The berth is so deep I built a compartment accross the port side at an angle, using the deepest part for the A/C and a small storage compartment for the rest. I installed one vent in the rear vent and made a duct out of wood to get it towards the front of the berth. I installed a duct through the cabinet in the head, then under the nav station into the storage of the settee with vents into the cabin. My system worked great.
Thanks so much for the information, Sailgunner. Can you share what type of unit you installed...ie name and model? Also, did you make w new thruhull or use the head drain (which here is required to be closed, as we can't dump).
{Edited to add info}
We installed a CS9K marine air unit in our '91 30t. Placed the blower/evaporator under the port salon bench. The 9K unit was the largest we could fit in that location as I recall. After 6 years of operation, sailgunner had the correct size at 12K. Adding a boom tent during the hottest days in south east Virginia helped as did placing 6% light transmissive covers over the hatches. A 9K unit is on the edge and a little bigger would be better.
We placed the compressor in the port cockpit locker along with the electrical access panel. The blower pulls air in from the floor (not the best location). Ran one duct forward to the bulkhead using the port v-berth closet and ran the other vent aft through the head vanity to a vent in the aft berth. We Teed the forward duct into two vents, one on the bulkhead pointing into the salon and another in the vberth area. Made a small sump under the deck salon floor just outside the head to collect the condensate and used a whale low profile pump to move the water out through the head sink drain. Amazing how much water the AC removes!
We installed a CS9K marine air unit in our '91 30t. Placed the blower/evaporator under the port salon bench. The 9K unit was the largest we could fit in that location as I recall. After 6 years of operation, sailgunner had the correct size at 12K. Adding a boom tent during the hottest days in south east Virginia helped as did placing 6% light transmissive covers over the hatches. A 9K unit is on the edge and a little bigger would be better.
We placed the compressor in the port cockpit locker along with the electrical access panel. The blower pulls air in from the floor (not the best location). Ran one duct forward to the bulkhead using the port v-berth closet and ran the other vent aft through the head vanity to a vent in the aft berth. We Teed the forward duct into two vents, one on the bulkhead pointing into the salon and another in the vberth area. Made a small sump under the deck salon floor just outside the head to collect the condensate and used a whale low profile pump to move the water out through the head sink drain. Amazing how much water the AC removes!
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Dan, thanks too, for another creative way to come at this. Yes, the pics and models would be helpful if you have time to post them. I'm a gal on my own with this boat, (seemed like a good idea at the time... Hindsight 20/20...all that) so this forum will be my "go-to" group to sort out the best way to keep from burning down, flooding, or sinking the boat. thanks again!
I used the head discharge for the unit discharge becasue I never used it for the head. I used the head intake for the water intake. It is better to have the discharge on the side of the boat above the water line but below the water line works fine. The only problem is you can't see the water coming out to verify water is flowing.
I don't have the boat any longer but I think it was a 12K unit.
The layout is very similar to my H31. I installed the A/C unit under the seat that athwartships just forward of the galley. I wanted it to be centrally located fore and aft.
Dan, Thanks too for showing your configuration in pics. Explains a lot just to see them. Hate to lose my aft locker, but is is the second time it's been suggested. I'll have to consider storage vs heat and humidity.
Thanks to each of you for innovative and respectful replies. This discussion has been most helpful, and hats off to you all for helping a fellow new big(ger) boat lady sailor!
Thanks to each of you for innovative and respectful replies. This discussion has been most helpful, and hats off to you all for helping a fellow new big(ger) boat lady sailor!
We just added a 24K BTU Webasto from West Marine to our 1985 Catalina 30. We took the space under the Nav Station for it. One thing that would have been nice to know FIRST is they take an ADDITIONAL 2" extra clearance on all sides above the stated dimensions. Also make sure your shore power is up to the extra draw.
OS2,
Ya know, I thought actually about that space under the nav station. It's tight, but thought it might be a good place to center it and then vent forward and aft thru storage holds. Heard the power cord needed is different than my current one, and costs around $900. Thanks for your ideas! Much appreciated!
Ya know, I thought actually about that space under the nav station. It's tight, but thought it might be a good place to center it and then vent forward and aft thru storage holds. Heard the power cord needed is different than my current one, and costs around $900. Thanks for your ideas! Much appreciated!
I have a 91 Hunter 30 T and installed a 12,000 BTU unit in the head storage compartment with one vent in the main cabin and one in the aft cabin.
Unless you have a gen set you can only run it when your plugged in. Have you considered a portable a/c unit like the one at this link. It's a whole lot cheaper and you can take it off the boat when you don't need it. Just a thought
Honeywell MN12CES 12,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner with Remote Control - Black/Silver https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008UHXLGA/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_JwSQvbD4Z14SC
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008UHXLGA/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_JwSQvbD4Z14SC
Honeywell MN12CES 12,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner with Remote Control - Black/Silver https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008UHXLGA/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_JwSQvbD4Z14SC
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008UHXLGA/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_JwSQvbD4Z14SC
I have an LG 12KBTU portable AC that I've been using on my O'Day 34 for several years. Have the vent duct exhaust through the lower companionway board and have insulated the duct. It works in moderate temps (<90 degF) however can't seem to get conditioned air forward to the v-berth and is a PITA to set up. Planning to install a central unit for comfort, convenience and a safer method to heat
IH82BL8,
Do you have any pictures of your install? The Admiral, would like me to do this to our 1983 H31.
Is that a single duct unit? I found that duel duct portable units (inlet and outlet vents) work better on boats. I have a single duct unit that I basically changed to a duel by enclosing it and running a inlet vent to a port.
Attached are pics forvAC install on 1984 H31'. Installed under starboard sitting area behind gallery area with dedicated circuit and discharge overboard just above waterline. Intake is from head area. AC water pump is under sink in head. Vents are in starboard sitting area, one above where the "old" trash can area was to left of cooktop and a vent run to V berth. 
