Beneteau 323 air conditioning

[Bryan9]

Since the previous thread on this topic has been closed, here's a new one.

I'd like to install a marine air conditioner on my recently purchased 2006 Beneteau 323, and I'd be most appreciative to hear of anyone's experience with this project.

According to previous posts, the factory positioned the 12K BTU unit on a shelf in the cockpit lazerette, with a duct to the aft cabin and another to the main cabin. In the factory install, the main cabin duct runs over the holding tank and under the sink in the head, exiting under the nav table. Because the system drew air from the aft cabin, in which there was also an output vent, one poster expressed concern that the system would cycle too frequently.

I believe the a/c condensate was directed to the shower sump, but I have been unable to confirm this.

Alternative installations were mentioned, including beneath the sink in the galley (as was done in 311s and 31s), but one poster pointed out that the fridge compressor is located there.

So, my question is this: Has anyone installed a/c in a 323, and what was your experience?

Thanks much,
Bryan
s/v Athena Weems, VA

 

[Bryan9]

According to the Beneteau factory a/c install diagram, there is a 5" duct that exits the lazarette along a shelf-like protrusion from the hull. As the attached photo shows, there isn't nearly enough room -- at least, not without repositioning the holding tank... Aargh

 

[Bryan9]

In the remote event that another Beneteau 323 owner actually read this thread, here's an update: I had a local year emulate the Beneteau factory install, so far as possible. The result is acceptable but not terrific, due to the low location of the two vents (under the nav table and at the rear of the aft cabin). It was not possible to feed 5" ductwork from the lazarette (where the a/c unit is mounted) to the main cabin - we had to use 4". The seacock, filter, and pump are positioned under the aft cabin berth, next to the existing engine seawater intake. Condensate is pumped overboard by a sealed shower sump with a level-activated pump inside.

I have a copy of the Beneteau factory a/c plan -- if anyone wants a copy, PM me. In addition, if anyone's interested, I can take some pics of the install.