We have recently purchased a 2003 Hunter 326. We do not have the air conditioning option but would rather use a hatch air conditioner. Does anyone have any suggesstions of make, models, etc...Your advice would be greatly appreciated.
- Status
No you wouldn't.
You only think you would..."rather use a hatch air-conditioner".
You will soon tire of messing with it. An H326 has a lot more interior room than my old H37C. And I found room to install "central air" on her. The only thing I have to do when going aboard for the weekend is open the seacock and throw a switch on the panel. In thirty minutes the interior is 75 degrees when it was over 90 when I boarded her.
You only think you would..."rather use a hatch air-conditioner".
You will soon tire of messing with it. An H326 has a lot more interior room than my old H37C. And I found room to install "central air" on her. The only thing I have to do when going aboard for the weekend is open the seacock and throw a switch on the panel. In thirty minutes the interior is 75 degrees when it was over 90 when I boarded her.Yes you would
I was considering installed air conditioning like Ed was saying. Then I found two people on my dock that had sucked Jelly fish in their intake this month, putting the unit out until the very messy clean up was completed. I think if you are boating on the Bay, the carry-on air may be a good option (if the boat is not too big for it). The only ones I have seen are in the West Marine and BoatUS catologs.
I was considering installed air conditioning like Ed was saying. Then I found two people on my dock that had sucked Jelly fish in their intake this month, putting the unit out until the very messy clean up was completed. I think if you are boating on the Bay, the carry-on air may be a good option (if the boat is not too big for it). The only ones I have seen are in the West Marine and BoatUS catologs.
If you want but.....
I have a 28 which is considerably smaller and I had a "hatch"A/C unit.specifically the Cruise Air and it could not cool the cabin below the 80's during June.It was only 4800 BTU's.I put in a Central A/C from Flagship and it is the best investment I could make.As far as a jelly fish problem,put screen in the strainer and you will have no problems.If it cloggs,all it does is shutdown the compressor,you clear the screen,then reset the compressor relay and you are good to go.I have had no problem with mine and I installed it myself.Good Luck
I have a 28 which is considerably smaller and I had a "hatch"A/C unit.specifically the Cruise Air and it could not cool the cabin below the 80's during June.It was only 4800 BTU's.I put in a Central A/C from Flagship and it is the best investment I could make.As far as a jelly fish problem,put screen in the strainer and you will have no problems.If it cloggs,all it does is shutdown the compressor,you clear the screen,then reset the compressor relay and you are good to go.I have had no problem with mine and I installed it myself.Good Luck
Thanks Ed...
Ed, I have a 320, and going to the link you provided got me thinking again of adding a unit. I think it could easily fit between the lockers in the stern, and cool down the stern birth and main cabin, which is where the wife and I reside anyway when cruising. Looks like I might have a new winter project. Steve
Ed, I have a 320, and going to the link you provided got me thinking again of adding a unit. I think it could easily fit between the lockers in the stern, and cool down the stern birth and main cabin, which is where the wife and I reside anyway when cruising. Looks like I might have a new winter project. Steve
In the hatch Crusair too small...
for my 29.5. after two summers of waiting for the sun to go down and then waiting for the A/C to slowly cool the interior down I've got a deposit on an H410 with TWO built in A/C units!. On the 29.5 we found the best trick was to turn the A/C on and then go out for a leisurely dinner. When you return the boat is just getting cool enough to sleep. With a 326 you might want to stay out for a few after dinner cocktails too!
for my 29.5. after two summers of waiting for the sun to go down and then waiting for the A/C to slowly cool the interior down I've got a deposit on an H410 with TWO built in A/C units!. On the 29.5 we found the best trick was to turn the A/C on and then go out for a leisurely dinner. When you return the boat is just getting cool enough to sleep. With a 326 you might want to stay out for a few after dinner cocktails too!
Air is great!
...but never thought we would admit to it. Came standard on our 320 and never thought we'd use it as much as we have this past year. Works great!! The heat (in the cooler months) is just as great as the air if you spend as much time aboard as we do. Don't think we'd want to deal with the hatch model.
...but never thought we would admit to it. Came standard on our 320 and never thought we'd use it as much as we have this past year. Works great!! The heat (in the cooler months) is just as great as the air if you spend as much time aboard as we do. Don't think we'd want to deal with the hatch model.
Maybe I'm crazy...or just cheap
So cheap in fact that I bought a $95.00 Kenmore 5500 BTU AC at Sears and placed it in the companionway surrounded by foam rubber and a 7" piece of teak on top. I closed the hatch and within 30 minutes on a 95 degree day, the interior temp was 78. As long as we're docked, we're o.k. And who is going sailing on a 95 degree day, anyway? When it gets that hot, we just stay below and chill out with our TV and a six pack. The only drawback is that we have to use the hatch above the V-berth as our "front door". When it is time to sail, just lift the AC out, place it in the aft berth and get out of town. Ciao for now.
So cheap in fact that I bought a $95.00 Kenmore 5500 BTU AC at Sears and placed it in the companionway surrounded by foam rubber and a 7" piece of teak on top. I closed the hatch and within 30 minutes on a 95 degree day, the interior temp was 78. As long as we're docked, we're o.k. And who is going sailing on a 95 degree day, anyway? When it gets that hot, we just stay below and chill out with our TV and a six pack. The only drawback is that we have to use the hatch above the V-berth as our "front door". When it is time to sail, just lift the AC out, place it in the aft berth and get out of town. Ciao for now.
- Status