Air conditioning a 23.5

[av8erdunn]

Has anyone put ac on a 23.5? I saw the one person who done it in the owner mods section but I want to actually have more input from other people on this mod. Any pros and cons? Hatch or mermaid? If mermaid how hard was the install?Etc.
Thanks in advance

 

[DJN51]

Use a 8000 BTU Amcor portable unit ,fits under stairs,only weighs 50 lbs,Put in a 6 in Beckson access port for exhaust hose in cockpit.Bought it on Ebay.Works great .Dont use it as much as you probably will ,but for $250.00 great deal.

 

[av8erdunn]

I was reading about the stand alone units and was told they are ok but have drawbacks. The main one is unless you get a dual hose design it uses the air that it has just cooled to cool the compressor which is then vented outside removing the cool air from the cabin. Does it cool the boat nicely? You wouldnt have any pics of the unit installed and the location of the vent would you? I am open to all suggestions, thank you for the input.

 

[av8erdunn]

Deleted by av8erdunn!!!

 

[soling42]

Smallest $80 companionway a/c is perfect for our 260 but I rarely sail during doldrum season when it's broiling and really find I only use it to keep the cabin dry during the off season (July1st-September30th).

Otherwise a built in unit is complicated deadweight and I'd have to bring a heavy generator and all the additional issues that'll add on our small boat. We have used it at a marina a few times but we really prefer to anchor out so I don't generally carry an extension cord that long...

$80 on sale. I'd keep it simple. My .02c Mike

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Ok, let me speak on this one. First you would have to locate an area where the thru hull seacock would fit and do not even consider thru the water ballast tank area. Second, you would have to figure where the compressor would go allowing a 3 inch minimum area of clearance on top, sides and back of unit. Make sure you have the unit next to where you can cut out for the return air grill. Then you would have to run shore power wiring in order to operate the AC. Since you do not have a bilge area , then the condensator you can purchase from Mermaid would work.

However, if you are sqeamish on drilling the holes, fiberglassing, placement of the compressor, then there is the cost of the AC unit itself if purchasing form Mermaid. I would suggest making a shelf type companion way door to place an inexpensive window unit on for air conditioning.

As for a generator, I would recommend the Honda 2000 but I think that costs in the area of $800 to $1,000.

As for the 260, more folks tend to stay on that boat more and I perfected the install on Mermaid units on that boats

crazy dave condon

 

[av8erdunn]

Ok, let me speak on this one. First you would have to locate an area where the thru hull seacock would fit and do not even consider thru the water ballast tank area. Second, you would have to figure where the compressor would go allowing a 3 inch minimum area of clearance on top, sides and back of unit. Make sure you have the unit next to where you can cut out for the return air grill. Then you would have to run shore power wiring in order to operate the AC. Since you do not have a bilge area , then the condensator you can purchase from Mermaid would work.

However, if you are sqeamish on drilling the holes, fiberglassing, placement of the compressor, then there is the cost of the AC unit itself if purchasing form Mermaid. I would suggest making a shelf type companion way door to place an inexpensive window unit on for air conditioning.

As for a generator, I would recommend the Honda 2000 but I think that costs in the area of $800 to $1,000.

As for the 260, more folks tend to stay on that boat more and I perfected the install on Mermaid units on that boats

crazy dave condon

Dave,
Have you seen the install in the owners modification section? I think its a pretty clean installation of the mermaid m5. I own a honda eu2000 inverter to run the ac. I dont care for a window unit in the companionway since you have to store it while undersail and it seems like it is a pain to climb over. I want to be able to run it during the day while at anchor since I have 2 kids that will be taking naps down below.