We came across a fascinating air-conditioning unit this past weekend that I wanted to research before purchasing. It was a 9,000 btu stand up (portable) AC unit that has an evaporative feature so no needed water discharge. It cames with a window vent kit, but I do not know the diameter of the vent or the vent material. It is on wheels and measures 32" high and 17" deep and wide (68 pounds). It is made by HAIER AMERICA and is half the price of the hatch units on the market. Setting up an exhaust vent is easy, its the portability and water evaporation feature that has me looking. We are looking for a way to cool the boat off (30 Catalina) on hot summer nights at the dock and this may well fit the bill. Has anyone had any experience with these units? By the way it was $399.00 at Target. If so, please pass on your evaluation or opinion. Thanks Bob
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Is it AC?
Bill, I take it that the unit is an AC- not DC? Is it marine rated? I have a C-30 too and was considering adding some air. Rob
Bill, I take it that the unit is an AC- not DC? Is it marine rated? I have a C-30 too and was considering adding some air. Rob
Yes its AC
Rob It is an AC unit (115 Volts?). I do not know about marine rating, but since its in the inside (even has wheels to move around), the toughest challenge is setting up the exhaust. I looked at the Haier website to get some additional info. but it was limited. The model unit is HPM09XC5. The water evaporative feature is really whats unique here. For the Catalina 30 the unit will fit perfectly in the v-berth notch area or possibly under or adjacent to the companion way ladder. I believe 9,000 BTUS is sufficient to cool off a 30's interior, especially in the evening. After this past miserable humid weekend I'll take a block of ice and a fan!!!! For now the price is what is attractive for an AC unit that can be wheeled around the interior of a boat. Bob
Rob It is an AC unit (115 Volts?). I do not know about marine rating, but since its in the inside (even has wheels to move around), the toughest challenge is setting up the exhaust. I looked at the Haier website to get some additional info. but it was limited. The model unit is HPM09XC5. The water evaporative feature is really whats unique here. For the Catalina 30 the unit will fit perfectly in the v-berth notch area or possibly under or adjacent to the companion way ladder. I believe 9,000 BTUS is sufficient to cool off a 30's interior, especially in the evening. After this past miserable humid weekend I'll take a block of ice and a fan!!!! For now the price is what is attractive for an AC unit that can be wheeled around the interior of a boat. Bob
Air-conditioning
I don't know about this unit but I once had the biggest 110 window unit from GE. It fit in the companion way, did a nice job at night on our 35. Only issue is storage while not using it. You also have to find a unique way to seal it off and stepping over it can be an issue -- wasn't with us as we had cool air. Really is the cheapest way to go. Paul
I don't know about this unit but I once had the biggest 110 window unit from GE. It fit in the companion way, did a nice job at night on our 35. Only issue is storage while not using it. You also have to find a unique way to seal it off and stepping over it can be an issue -- wasn't with us as we had cool air. Really is the cheapest way to go. Paul
it works ...
A guy on another dock has one of these on a C30, mounted in the v berth notch, and exhausted through a dryer hose hooked to a pvc fitting he made for the forward hatch. Seems to work on his boat. I've been below when it was pretty hot and it was fine. NOT marine rated ... basically designed for a small office, and I don't know how long it would last in salt air. Of course, I've seen window ac's in beach cottages last years. Roughly the same environment as a marina. He says he used to loose major cooling as people went through the hatch, so he made a one piece plexiglass alternate that pops in and out faster. Slide the hatch back an inch, pop the plex piece out, out you go, and plex piece back in before you loose all that nice cool air. I measured the same thing for my C27, and I'm not real sure it would work. Oh yeah ... he has a web strap arrangement which keeps it snuggly in place when he sails. More about this if you search the archives. There used to be a post there about a guy who used another brand that DID NOT sling the condendate into the exhaust, he just rigged a plastic tube into the blidge, and pumped it once in awhile. Tom Monroe Car
A guy on another dock has one of these on a C30, mounted in the v berth notch, and exhausted through a dryer hose hooked to a pvc fitting he made for the forward hatch. Seems to work on his boat. I've been below when it was pretty hot and it was fine. NOT marine rated ... basically designed for a small office, and I don't know how long it would last in salt air. Of course, I've seen window ac's in beach cottages last years. Roughly the same environment as a marina. He says he used to loose major cooling as people went through the hatch, so he made a one piece plexiglass alternate that pops in and out faster. Slide the hatch back an inch, pop the plex piece out, out you go, and plex piece back in before you loose all that nice cool air. I measured the same thing for my C27, and I'm not real sure it would work. Oh yeah ... he has a web strap arrangement which keeps it snuggly in place when he sails. More about this if you search the archives. There used to be a post there about a guy who used another brand that DID NOT sling the condendate into the exhaust, he just rigged a plastic tube into the blidge, and pumped it once in awhile. Tom Monroe Car
Thanks Tom
Tom That was the answer I was looking for. It works!! Since I am in fresh water (Lake Lanier) I do not have to worry about salt corrosion. I can see setting up an exhaust hose out of one of the side ports as well to get the hot air out. For now its a great value compared to a permanent unit or the carry-on/hatch installed units. Glad to know its cooled off a Catalina 30. Thanks Bob
Tom That was the answer I was looking for. It works!! Since I am in fresh water (Lake Lanier) I do not have to worry about salt corrosion. I can see setting up an exhaust hose out of one of the side ports as well to get the hot air out. For now its a great value compared to a permanent unit or the carry-on/hatch installed units. Glad to know its cooled off a Catalina 30. Thanks Bob
portable ac
It works fine! we used one on our 356 last year and it worked great all summer. I made a plate to fill one opening portlight and attached the exhaust hose, stored the unit in the v berth, lashed down when underway
It works fine! we used one on our 356 last year and it worked great all summer. I made a plate to fill one opening portlight and attached the exhaust hose, stored the unit in the v berth, lashed down when underway
SAM'S
From the way you've discribed the unit I believe I saw the same thing at Sam's. It was roughly 10" square and 36" tall. I'm not sure how the condensation is handled though. Jeff
From the way you've discribed the unit I believe I saw the same thing at Sam's. It was roughly 10" square and 36" tall. I'm not sure how the condensation is handled though. Jeff
A different brand
You might also want to check out the Sunpentown 10,000 BTU unit (http://www.sunpentown.com/wa1010m.htm). It is also self evaporative, similarly-priced and it has a unique very high efficiency compressor (EER 15.15), enabling it to be run from a small generator. We have one at home which I have tested with a Honda EU1000i. The generator is able to run the unit so long as you run it on fan only for a couple of minutes before turning on the cooling compressor. A Honda EU 2000i could run it with no strain.
You might also want to check out the Sunpentown 10,000 BTU unit (http://www.sunpentown.com/wa1010m.htm). It is also self evaporative, similarly-priced and it has a unique very high efficiency compressor (EER 15.15), enabling it to be run from a small generator. We have one at home which I have tested with a Honda EU1000i. The generator is able to run the unit so long as you run it on fan only for a couple of minutes before turning on the cooling compressor. A Honda EU 2000i could run it with no strain.
What about this...
You can buy a cheap window unit at Home Depot for about $70.00, and a piece of good quality birch plywood. Make a template on the plywood (using your hatchboards), cut a hole for the AC unit, fit it, and you are good to go. My brother in law just did it and it works well. The unit fits in the dockbox, and the plywood can be cut in two pieces for easier stowage. All this for about 100 bucks!
You can buy a cheap window unit at Home Depot for about $70.00, and a piece of good quality birch plywood. Make a template on the plywood (using your hatchboards), cut a hole for the AC unit, fit it, and you are good to go. My brother in law just did it and it works well. The unit fits in the dockbox, and the plywood can be cut in two pieces for easier stowage. All this for about 100 bucks!
That's the advantage ...
... of using something like the Haier units discussed here, and locating them in the v-berth notch. You can get in and out of the boat without having to climb over a window unit mounted in the companionway. As a twist, I saw a plain old window unit a couple weeks ago that had some sort of hood-like extension built on the front that let it be mounted in front of and blow down into the forward hatch. Circulating the air around the boat would be a subsequent challenge, but you could make it work. Personally, an AC in the companionway wouldn't be an option for me. I'd have to rig a way to lower my very small and short-legged wife in from the top of the cabin trunk. Getting her back out doesn't bear contemplating. Getting her there the next weekend ....... Tom Monroe Carlyle Lake
... of using something like the Haier units discussed here, and locating them in the v-berth notch. You can get in and out of the boat without having to climb over a window unit mounted in the companionway. As a twist, I saw a plain old window unit a couple weeks ago that had some sort of hood-like extension built on the front that let it be mounted in front of and blow down into the forward hatch. Circulating the air around the boat would be a subsequent challenge, but you could make it work. Personally, an AC in the companionway wouldn't be an option for me. I'd have to rig a way to lower my very small and short-legged wife in from the top of the cabin trunk. Getting her back out doesn't bear contemplating. Getting her there the next weekend ....... Tom Monroe Carlyle Lake
I checked that option
The window units are the best cooling for your dollar, but the inconvenience of getting in and out take away the attraction. If I were a full time liveaboard that would be a great way to go (condensation down the scuppers, no venting of hot air and centerline cooling). But, that Haier model adds one very nice attraction; size, capacity, portability and price over the Cruise and Carry type front hatch units. Hey, how can you loose if the only worry is a vent line exhaust location? I like the fact it rolls around and is only limited by the length of the exhaust hose. I will probably buy one this weekend and I believe they can be found for less than $399.00 we saw at Target. Nine thousand BTUs is plenty for a 30 footer. Regards Bob '88 Catalina 30 Lake Lanier
The window units are the best cooling for your dollar, but the inconvenience of getting in and out take away the attraction. If I were a full time liveaboard that would be a great way to go (condensation down the scuppers, no venting of hot air and centerline cooling). But, that Haier model adds one very nice attraction; size, capacity, portability and price over the Cruise and Carry type front hatch units. Hey, how can you loose if the only worry is a vent line exhaust location? I like the fact it rolls around and is only limited by the length of the exhaust hose. I will probably buy one this weekend and I believe they can be found for less than $399.00 we saw at Target. Nine thousand BTUs is plenty for a 30 footer. Regards Bob '88 Catalina 30 Lake Lanier
To Rob from MD...
The unit is small enough that you can actually step over it into the companionway. You simply mount it at the lower part. Condensation runs into the cockpit and out through the scuppers(or the back end of the boat as my brother-in-law has a new C&C 99).
The unit is small enough that you can actually step over it into the companionway. You simply mount it at the lower part. Condensation runs into the cockpit and out through the scuppers(or the back end of the boat as my brother-in-law has a new C&C 99).
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