air conditioning advice sought

[Bill Greenberg]

My wife and I will both be retiring in June and plan to spend more time this summer on our Catalina 28. Seeking suggestions for a reliable portable air conditioning unit to use while dockside on hot,humid nights.

 

[Ed]

What I recommend

I recommend you consider the unit from Flagship Marine. They make self-contained units from 6,500 btu to 120,000 btu and are the provider the US Coast Guard. The units have rotary engines and are so quite, efficient and smooth that I cannot feel it running under by V bert. I have 16,500 btu unit and it really cools my Catalina 310 - even in direct Texas sunlight on 100+ degree days (the heat is also nice in the winter). Units are very afforable and some of the Catalina 310 folks have installed themselves. The manufacturer sells direct to users and the package is complete down to the controls. See their web site at http://www.flagshipmarine.com/selfcontained.html

 

[Marshall]

Catalina 28 AC

I'm biting the bullet and having AC/heat installed on my C28 in April. I was using a Cruise n Carry portable unit that did not really do the job at 4800 BTU and when not in use had to be stowed under the table in the salon blocking access to the vee berth. I considered the Kruisin Kool but the manufacturer told me it could not be used below the waterline and a permanent installation would have been almost as costly as having a professional install the unit I am getting. I'm located on the Chesapeake and this area has way too many hot, humid nights to not have AC.