We currently own a 30 foot Catalina and are interested in installing heat and air conditioning. Any suggestions as to make and location of the unit? any helpful tips would be appreciated.
- Status
Jan.29, 2001 Mike, There are some extensive posts in the archives on heaters and air conditioners from some questions that have recently arisen. You might want to take a look there to get yourself started. Fair winds, Brian Pickton, of BeneteauOwners.net, Aboard The Legend, Rodney Bay, St. Lucia
Drive over to Huron?
Know nothing about the Catalina interior but can show you a "tight" install of a Mermaid 12K unit. The Mermaid, both 12K and 16K are exactly the size of a standard cardboard shipping box if you cut it to 12 inches in height. That's 17 x 12 x 12. Makes a great template. Mermaid is at: http://dterm.com/mmair/ Ed(schencked@bfusa.com)
Know nothing about the Catalina interior but can show you a "tight" install of a Mermaid 12K unit. The Mermaid, both 12K and 16K are exactly the size of a standard cardboard shipping box if you cut it to 12 inches in height. That's 17 x 12 x 12. Makes a great template. Mermaid is at: http://dterm.com/mmair/ Ed(schencked@bfusa.com)
Mermaid A/c
Hi Mike, I installed a Mermaid 12K A/C with reverse compressor for heating in my 91 Hunter 30T. The A/C works great but haven't had a chance to run the heater this winter. You need to make sure your water intake is as low as possible. Sometime after sailing I'm having problems getting the freshwater pump to prime. Note: all freshwater pumps for marine A/C seem to be non-priming, a real pain in the ass. The 12K system can keep the boat around 80 when it's 100+ outside. Jim
Hi Mike, I installed a Mermaid 12K A/C with reverse compressor for heating in my 91 Hunter 30T. The A/C works great but haven't had a chance to run the heater this winter. You need to make sure your water intake is as low as possible. Sometime after sailing I'm having problems getting the freshwater pump to prime. Note: all freshwater pumps for marine A/C seem to be non-priming, a real pain in the ass. The 12K system can keep the boat around 80 when it's 100+ outside. Jim
Mermaid
I installed a Mermaid 12K reverse ycle in the spring of '99. Unit fit low in the portside cockpit locker with the main outlet in the galley. Ran the 4 inch duct hose to the head with an outlet there and finally to the forward bulkhead in the v berth. Unit works well producing enough a/c and heat. The air return vent is in the sidewall in the aft berth and is directly against the unit in the cockpit locker. Took me two full days to install. Use a dedicated seacock for the unit - don't tee into an existing one. Got the unit from Defender - best price I was able to find. Good luck.
I installed a Mermaid 12K reverse ycle in the spring of '99. Unit fit low in the portside cockpit locker with the main outlet in the galley. Ran the 4 inch duct hose to the head with an outlet there and finally to the forward bulkhead in the v berth. Unit works well producing enough a/c and heat. The air return vent is in the sidewall in the aft berth and is directly against the unit in the cockpit locker. Took me two full days to install. Use a dedicated seacock for the unit - don't tee into an existing one. Got the unit from Defender - best price I was able to find. Good luck.
Cruisair
The Cruisair Carry-on will cool your boat, if your hatch is the correct size for this portable drop-in unit. Advantage
rice and no installation and no more thru-hulls with below-the-water-tubing subject to galvanic corrosion (it happens!). Disadvantage: you also have to dismount it and stow it when you go sailing, so it is mainly for dockside. Speaking of which, several friends have bought simple, inexpensive, regular, non-marine units and mounted them in a hatchboard. A pain in the rear to step over, to be sure, but cheap for dockside.
The Cruisair Carry-on will cool your boat, if your hatch is the correct size for this portable drop-in unit. Advantage
rice and no installation and no more thru-hulls with below-the-water-tubing subject to galvanic corrosion (it happens!). Disadvantage: you also have to dismount it and stow it when you go sailing, so it is mainly for dockside. Speaking of which, several friends have bought simple, inexpensive, regular, non-marine units and mounted them in a hatchboard. A pain in the rear to step over, to be sure, but cheap for dockside.- Status