We want to install AC on our 1989 Catalina 36. The only space available that would seem to work for us is under the Vee Berth. I would like to hear from anyone who has done this installation.I am especially interested in knowing exactly how you ran your ducts, any problems that you ran into, and what you used to make the cuts for the duct openings. Scott
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It worked out well for me!
I own a 2003 model year C36 MK. II. Last year, I had a Marine Air Vector 16K BTU reverse cycle a/c unit. The installation was done by Brewer's Sakonnet Marina, with the help of Ocean Options. Brewer's (at O.O.'s suggestion) mounted the main unit underneath the V-Berth and fabricated an intake grille in place of the set of three drawers at the front of the V-Berth. Brewer's fabricated and glassed in a shelf to mount the main unit. The duct work was run down the starboard side of the boat with vents in the V-Berth bulkhead, the area just above the TV/VCR and into the Aft Berth. The digital control panel was mounted on the side of the TV/VCR enclosure with a separate dedicated shore power connection and a dedicated circuit breaker at the nav station panel. Thus far, I have absolutely no complaints; The installation and the operation have exceeded my expectations. My family and I now spend our summer weekends aboard in wonderful comfort, particularly at night. A good investment in my opinion!
I own a 2003 model year C36 MK. II. Last year, I had a Marine Air Vector 16K BTU reverse cycle a/c unit. The installation was done by Brewer's Sakonnet Marina, with the help of Ocean Options. Brewer's (at O.O.'s suggestion) mounted the main unit underneath the V-Berth and fabricated an intake grille in place of the set of three drawers at the front of the V-Berth. Brewer's fabricated and glassed in a shelf to mount the main unit. The duct work was run down the starboard side of the boat with vents in the V-Berth bulkhead, the area just above the TV/VCR and into the Aft Berth. The digital control panel was mounted on the side of the TV/VCR enclosure with a separate dedicated shore power connection and a dedicated circuit breaker at the nav station panel. Thus far, I have absolutely no complaints; The installation and the operation have exceeded my expectations. My family and I now spend our summer weekends aboard in wonderful comfort, particularly at night. A good investment in my opinion!
Join the C36 Association
and get Mainsheet magazine. The last issue had a long and well documented article about this very subject. Why reinvent the wheel? Stu
and get Mainsheet magazine. The last issue had a long and well documented article about this very subject. Why reinvent the wheel? Stu
Totally concur with Stu ! Join the C36 assoc.
Its a very valuable resource. Not only will get upgrade information, but they are very active in notifying the users of recalls, potential problem areas and issues that might come up. Also you get a quarterly magazine the "Mainsheet" from Catalina with story, tips, and Technotes for all the Catalina Class boats. Each issue is worth more than just association fee. Here is a link to joining the association http://www.catalina36.org/application.htm After you join you can also get a hard copy of **all** the past technotes on the C36 from all those years. It includs all drawings/photos from past issues of Mainsheet, is currently available for $40.00 U.S. (including shipping). http://www.catalina36.org/tech_tips.htm (This site only has the verbage from the tech notes and only from 1998, you'd have to order the complete back issues from the C36 assoc from the website above) Also the C36 website a veritable wealth of information over there, but just to whet your appetite here are a few links on what some people did for putting in A/C on their boat and posted information on the web. http://www.catalina36.org/article_airconditioning-install.htm http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4290064707 http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4289176283 http://users2.ev1.net/~barr/c36ac.htm But to answer you question directly - about 55% of the people put the A/C unit in the space under the seat in front of the galley sink, about 40% put it in the v-berth (older boats without forward tank would do this more often) and the other 5% find "other" places for it. The big issue as you can imagine is routing the ductwork and minimizing the spaces you cut into.
Its a very valuable resource. Not only will get upgrade information, but they are very active in notifying the users of recalls, potential problem areas and issues that might come up. Also you get a quarterly magazine the "Mainsheet" from Catalina with story, tips, and Technotes for all the Catalina Class boats. Each issue is worth more than just association fee. Here is a link to joining the association http://www.catalina36.org/application.htm After you join you can also get a hard copy of **all** the past technotes on the C36 from all those years. It includs all drawings/photos from past issues of Mainsheet, is currently available for $40.00 U.S. (including shipping). http://www.catalina36.org/tech_tips.htm (This site only has the verbage from the tech notes and only from 1998, you'd have to order the complete back issues from the C36 assoc from the website above) Also the C36 website a veritable wealth of information over there, but just to whet your appetite here are a few links on what some people did for putting in A/C on their boat and posted information on the web. http://www.catalina36.org/article_airconditioning-install.htm http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4290064707 http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4289176283 http://users2.ev1.net/~barr/c36ac.htm But to answer you question directly - about 55% of the people put the A/C unit in the space under the seat in front of the galley sink, about 40% put it in the v-berth (older boats without forward tank would do this more often) and the other 5% find "other" places for it. The big issue as you can imagine is routing the ductwork and minimizing the spaces you cut into.
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