Installing AC Ducts 37.5 Legend,Help

[Parrott]

Installing AC Ducts 1992 37.5 Hunter Legend. Seems like the Port side forward facing seat at the dinette is the best spot for AC Unit, But not any room to run duct up the side's looking for picture's or ideas on factory or self installed duct to get air flow around cabin,looks like starboard side might have more room and better access.
First time post,thanks for all Help.
Paul

 

[Jeff]

What I Did....

I have a 1993 H33.5. Granted the layout is a bit different but I suspect the space behind the settee cushions may provide room to run duct work as it did in my boat. I elected to raise the Nav-table and installed a shelf for the A/C to sit on. My unit was a 16,500 BTU with electric heat. Duct work was run to all three cabins.

 

[ben solomon]

I have thought about this very project for about a year. Here is what I was going to do. I have a 1990 37.5 legend. My question for you is: have you installed the through hulls for the water pump and discharge? I think the starboard side is much better suited for the ducts, and it would be on the same side as the electrical panel. If you are installing only one unit, i would put it under the starboard seating (i have a couch). Some have two seats. From there it is easy to duct the v berth. For the aft cabin, run the duct aft behind the electrical panel or under the nav station, through the head (behind the cabinet or under the sink), and then through the hanging locker in the aft cabin.

I am preparing to do this exact project. Only I am going to use the factory through hulls. I can't bring myself to make more holes in the boat. What brand are you using?

Ben

 

[Amos Cape]

I have a 30' and I can tell you that the ducting was the most time consuming of all the insulation. I also went with 6" PVC pipe so I could still use the areas for storage. Made my vent boxes too. It worked out good!

 

[davjonLegend]

I have a '93 37.5 Legend. The compressor is located in the aft cockpit locker, stbd side. The evaporator is located under the starboard settee, just in front of the nav table. The duct from there is run forward, under the settee, through the bulkhead, and up into the V-berth hanging locker. From that duct, there are 2 vents -- one into the main cabin (on the bulkhead wall), and one into the V-berth through the hanging locker wall.

Hope that helps.

 

[John Nantz]

Jeff - good looking job!

Actually, make that "beautiful"! Not only that but the picture looks really good too.

As an add on to the thread, several years ago I saw where one guy drilled large holes through the grid in the pan in order to run a duct. Not a good idea. The grid is structural and unless one knows if the particular location is a safe area it is best to not drill holes there for a duct.

 

[Parrott]

WOW going crazy got the Boat in the water 5/8/14 we all know how great that feels.back to the Duct planning. Ben has the plan I'm thinking under the Starboard side, did put in new water intake back of keel near motor cooling intake. but would like to bring 3" duct up behind starboard seat not sure about drilling 3" hole up thru side support between stringer's, then run back thru Head to rear cabin. and going forward blast 6" out front lower settee and then vee berth. Will try calling Hunter or local dealer Tidewater on top of Chesapeake.

Wow very impressed with everyone's input,My first post in all my years of lurking, Did buy the 16,5 Mermaid unit
W

 

[ben solomon]

Paul,

Kudos to you for taking on the project. I am afraid to drill any more holes in the bottom of the boat.

Ben

 

[Parrott]

AC is done and working great, installed under starboard seat, ducted forward dump out 6" vent then thru to Vee bearth 4" then all the way back to the aft cabin for now with 3" duct. Works great, lots off fans help. Took one week total and very happy to have AC on a Sailboat, life is real good. 16.5 Mermaid unit with the extra kit worked out great.

 

[davjonLegend]

AC is done and working great, installed under starboard seat, ducted forward dump out 6" vent then thru to Vee bearth 4" then all the way back to the aft cabin for now with 3" duct. Works great, lots off fans help. Took one week total and very happy to have AC on a Sailboat, life is real good. 16.5 Mermaid unit with the extra kit worked out great.

Where did you finally route your 3" duct aft from the settee? And the cooling water lines?

 

[Parrott]

Where did you finally route your 3" duct aft from the settee? And the cooling water lines?

3" branch off 4" in starboard locker in vee berth
Then ran 3" all the way back in storage cabinets tru the head to aft cabin, no other choice. Let fan do the rest.cooling intake back were motor intake, discharge behind setee

 

[ben solomon]

Good job! I am still a fraidy cat. Using stand up portable A/C. I applaude your effort. After reading your post, it's not a 4 hour install like the manual says

Ben