I've never seen anything posted on using a standard window air conditioning unit to cool a Hunter 34. I tried one last summer and it worked great. Used a standard GE 5,000 BTU window unit ($119.00 at Wal-Mart or K-Mart) and set in main companionway (door) set on two standard floating cushions. Used hard plastic stock to make the spacers to seal the sides of the air condioner with the sloping sides of the doorway. Used the top two sections of the the door panels to seal the top of the unit. The air conditioner slides very easily out of the way on the cusions if you have to go out of the companionway. Also, the newer air conditioners pretty much evaporate all of the water removed from the air by blowing it into the coil fins on the back of the unit...virtually no wanter drains into the cockpit. It takes about 30 min. to an hour to cool down the cabin on 90 deg. plus evenings. Sleeping is very comfortable and can get pretty cold by morning (no thermostat on the cheaper units). I use a small clamp fan on the bulkhead in the head/vanity area to help move cool air into V-berth. Tried making a cover so the unit could set on top of the front hatch (over the V-berth), but found their was too much condensation on the cover and it did not cool the inside of the boat as well as setting in the main companionway. I have a bad back, but found the small air conditioners are light enough that I can handle them. I store it in my dockside storage. Thought someone might like to know. Questions...email dhbelcher@aol.com
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Cheap A/C
I saw a similar thing done a few years ago at our marina. A live aboard began installing a small window A/C in his companionway. Most of his dock mates (myself included) thought this to be rather strange at the time but as the season progressed and nights spent dockside became hotter and hotter this idea became less and less bizarre. This particular guy would enter and exit his boat via a forward hatch, so he could leave the AC in while he was in his slip. Tom S/V Follow the Sun 98 H376
I saw a similar thing done a few years ago at our marina. A live aboard began installing a small window A/C in his companionway. Most of his dock mates (myself included) thought this to be rather strange at the time but as the season progressed and nights spent dockside became hotter and hotter this idea became less and less bizarre. This particular guy would enter and exit his boat via a forward hatch, so he could leave the AC in while he was in his slip. Tom S/V Follow the Sun 98 H376
Several discussions over the years.
There have been several discussions over the years. As a matter of convenience it seems that it would be better on a side deck with something piped in thru a port. This would make your access much easier. You just need a place to put the unit if you ever go sailing. I would think a unit with a remote control and thermostate would make life a little easier in the middle of the night.
There have been several discussions over the years. As a matter of convenience it seems that it would be better on a side deck with something piped in thru a port. This would make your access much easier. You just need a place to put the unit if you ever go sailing. I would think a unit with a remote control and thermostate would make life a little easier in the middle of the night.
Did this in Ga
I did this with my boat in St Simons, GA last summer. Cooling is great, onboard storage deep in the aft cabin no big deal, weight and water drainage no problem - having main companionway blocked - big problem for me. May consider idea of creating a duct system to pipe air in side hatch as mentioned in other reply until I grimace and finally just buy and install marine system.
I did this with my boat in St Simons, GA last summer. Cooling is great, onboard storage deep in the aft cabin no big deal, weight and water drainage no problem - having main companionway blocked - big problem for me. May consider idea of creating a duct system to pipe air in side hatch as mentioned in other reply until I grimace and finally just buy and install marine system.
Anyone Try One of the Freestanding Interior Units?
I was looking at one in "Best Buy" last week. It was a little bibber than a dehumidifier and vented out through a hose like a dryer. Cheaper than the hatch AC, much cheaper than an installed unit and much more convenient that the companionway option.
I was looking at one in "Best Buy" last week. It was a little bibber than a dehumidifier and vented out through a hose like a dryer. Cheaper than the hatch AC, much cheaper than an installed unit and much more convenient that the companionway option.
I agree, those freestanding units look promising
They now make freestanding A/C units that basically have a blower to blow the hot air through a 5" dia flexible hose to the outdoors. They do fill up with water, but the units I saw had a drain option that will drain the condensate through a hose. Thus you could drain it into a shower drain/bilge setup to get rid of the water. Pros: Cheap, 12,000 btu for like $450-$500. 3 Year warranty, not bad. Cons: May corrode after a while. But everything else on a dang boat corrodes so why should it be any different. Noisy, It may be noisier than a marine a/c unit as you have possibly two fans, one blowing cold air, and one blowing hot air. The vent hose is limited to around 5-10 feet depending on the model. I imagine that you can lengthen it of you install another blower inline with the hose to help pull the heat a longer distance. So I researched them a bit.
They now make freestanding A/C units that basically have a blower to blow the hot air through a 5" dia flexible hose to the outdoors. They do fill up with water, but the units I saw had a drain option that will drain the condensate through a hose. Thus you could drain it into a shower drain/bilge setup to get rid of the water. Pros: Cheap, 12,000 btu for like $450-$500. 3 Year warranty, not bad. Cons: May corrode after a while. But everything else on a dang boat corrodes so why should it be any different. Noisy, It may be noisier than a marine a/c unit as you have possibly two fans, one blowing cold air, and one blowing hot air. The vent hose is limited to around 5-10 feet depending on the model. I imagine that you can lengthen it of you install another blower inline with the hose to help pull the heat a longer distance. So I researched them a bit.
Every boat should have one.
Yes it does really work. We have had a window style 5000 btu air conditioner on Effervescence (H34)for five years now. When sailing we stow it under the vee berth on the left hand side. I made a bridge from wood that slides into the slot for the companion panels to hold it in position and allowing for the top two panels to sit on top. I attached two substantial handles to the top for easy carrying and I have installed a removable plastic step that clips onto four pops on top of the engine panel to allow easy stepping over the unit when we are docked. Our unit does discharge the condensate onto the cockpit floor but it is no problem. The year we installed ours created a stir among the other captains wives at our marina and by summers end several other sail boats had followed suit. It really is a cost effective solution to airconditioning my boat and even when at anchor I run it off a small very quiet Honda generator so I can have cool sleeping nights where ever I am. This year I also installed a really cheap refrigeration unit in my cold box taken from a new $60 mini refrigerator as had been discribed in an earlier article. There is your next project.
Yes it does really work. We have had a window style 5000 btu air conditioner on Effervescence (H34)for five years now. When sailing we stow it under the vee berth on the left hand side. I made a bridge from wood that slides into the slot for the companion panels to hold it in position and allowing for the top two panels to sit on top. I attached two substantial handles to the top for easy carrying and I have installed a removable plastic step that clips onto four pops on top of the engine panel to allow easy stepping over the unit when we are docked. Our unit does discharge the condensate onto the cockpit floor but it is no problem. The year we installed ours created a stir among the other captains wives at our marina and by summers end several other sail boats had followed suit. It really is a cost effective solution to airconditioning my boat and even when at anchor I run it off a small very quiet Honda generator so I can have cool sleeping nights where ever I am. This year I also installed a really cheap refrigeration unit in my cold box taken from a new $60 mini refrigerator as had been discribed in an earlier article. There is your next project.
Paul, which honda generator?
Do you use to run this thing? Is it one of the Eu's? How much juice does it need? Thanks!
Do you use to run this thing? Is it one of the Eu's? How much juice does it need? Thanks!
Generator
Paul... is the generator permanently installed somewhere or do you just put it on deck?
Paul... is the generator permanently installed somewhere or do you just put it on deck?
I also would like to know.
Paul we would really like to know the cost,watt output and size,weight of the Honda generator....as I would like to have one on my boat.. Thanks
Paul we would really like to know the cost,watt output and size,weight of the Honda generator....as I would like to have one on my boat.. Thanks
Honda generator for the H34
In response to Carl, Ray and Robin's question. The Honda generator that I use is the EU2000 2kw compact model which successfully runs the A/C unit and my microwave. I store it in the Port rear locker when not in use which helps to balance the H34 starboard lean. It just slips in to the locker with out modification. I run it either in the cockpit or in a tray I made that fits on one of the two swim platforms that I have attached to the stern. I have made a right angled bend that I screw on to the exhaust when I run the Honda in the cockpit to direct the exhaust away from the cabin. I previously tried unsuccessfully the smaller 1kw Honda model but the starting load of the A/C unit (800w) would cause the overload circuit to trip. I run the power directly into the shore power socket.I have attached a photo of my boat that shows the stern swim platforms that I mount the Honda on. Hope this info answers a few questions.
In response to Carl, Ray and Robin's question. The Honda generator that I use is the EU2000 2kw compact model which successfully runs the A/C unit and my microwave. I store it in the Port rear locker when not in use which helps to balance the H34 starboard lean. It just slips in to the locker with out modification. I run it either in the cockpit or in a tray I made that fits on one of the two swim platforms that I have attached to the stern. I have made a right angled bend that I screw on to the exhaust when I run the Honda in the cockpit to direct the exhaust away from the cabin. I previously tried unsuccessfully the smaller 1kw Honda model but the starting load of the A/C unit (800w) would cause the overload circuit to trip. I run the power directly into the shore power socket.I have attached a photo of my boat that shows the stern swim platforms that I mount the Honda on. Hope this info answers a few questions.
Attachments
Thanks Paul
After I asked I went to Honda.com and researched the handheld generators. Nice units. I had a feeling you had the EU2000... Called a local dealer quoted 1079.00 plus tax.. Oh well I guess I'll get another DC Fan.. By the way your boat looks Great!! Thanks again
After I asked I went to Honda.com and researched the handheld generators. Nice units. I had a feeling you had the EU2000... Called a local dealer quoted 1079.00 plus tax.. Oh well I guess I'll get another DC Fan.. By the way your boat looks Great!! Thanks again
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