I'll be summering aboard my new Catalina 310 for the first time this year and was wondering how most people on the Mid-Atlantic coast (or elsewhere) keep cool on board below deck during the dog days of July and August. Is a hatch-mounted air conditioner mandatory? If so, what kind/size? Or do strategically mounted fans and/or sun shades do the trick? Please advise! Thanks, Kurt
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How to beat the heat!
Hello Kurt, Most people down here in Texas with a boat your size have a fixed mount marine A/C unit like those made by Marine Air Systems or Mermaid Air. A good description of an installed A/C unit in a boat your size (C320) can be found at http://www.catalina320.org/faq7.htm. These fixed mount A/C units are great when you have access to shore power. Your inverter won't have the capacity to supply juice to these A/C units away from the dock; so, you'll have to either add a genset or do without when away from the dock. Hella makes great fans that can be used on your boat. We have two on our C250 and they keep us cool . . . sweat evaporation really works during the summer. When at achor, an awning of some sort over select portions of your deck might also decrease cabin heat. The obvious solution is to direct as much air through your cabin as possible. Again, make sure to take a look at the link above. Larry Frank tells you how he installed a split system (two air handlers) in his C320. C250wb "Lorelei" #384
Hello Kurt, Most people down here in Texas with a boat your size have a fixed mount marine A/C unit like those made by Marine Air Systems or Mermaid Air. A good description of an installed A/C unit in a boat your size (C320) can be found at http://www.catalina320.org/faq7.htm. These fixed mount A/C units are great when you have access to shore power. Your inverter won't have the capacity to supply juice to these A/C units away from the dock; so, you'll have to either add a genset or do without when away from the dock. Hella makes great fans that can be used on your boat. We have two on our C250 and they keep us cool . . . sweat evaporation really works during the summer. When at achor, an awning of some sort over select portions of your deck might also decrease cabin heat. The obvious solution is to direct as much air through your cabin as possible. Again, make sure to take a look at the link above. Larry Frank tells you how he installed a split system (two air handlers) in his C320. C250wb "Lorelei" #384
How hot is hot?
I can see in Texas & Florida, etc. installing a permanent AC unit but wonder if you couldn't get by with less expensive alternatives. I suppose the humidity is a killer up there & AC may be *your* only option. But if you want to start out less expensive, try Sunshades that cover most of the deck surface (leaving several feet between it & the boat), windscoops, 12 v fans, etc. I guess it really depends on your tolerance of heat. I'd want the AC too but my guy Rob wouldn't!
LaDonna
I can see in Texas & Florida, etc. installing a permanent AC unit but wonder if you couldn't get by with less expensive alternatives. I suppose the humidity is a killer up there & AC may be *your* only option. But if you want to start out less expensive, try Sunshades that cover most of the deck surface (leaving several feet between it & the boat), windscoops, 12 v fans, etc. I guess it really depends on your tolerance of heat. I'd want the AC too but my guy Rob wouldn't!
LaDonnaTry a wind shoot
I have a wind shoot (West Marine about $25) which usually does the trick. One key requirement - there has to be a breeze.
I have a wind shoot (West Marine about $25) which usually does the trick. One key requirement - there has to be a breeze.
Fans, Fans, Fans
On my c320 as in previous boats I installed a 4" 24hr solar vent/fan intake in the forward hatch and a 4" 24hr vent/fan exhaust in the highest cabin hatch. Within a month I'll also be installing a 3" 24hr solar vent/fan exhaust in the head hatch. I also have 12v Hella fans mounted near and drawing 12v from the cabin lights in the forward section of the cabin to help move the air towards the exhausts. This winter I have also wired a 12v Hella near the hatch at the foot of the forward side of the aft berth to grab air from the hatch, blow it by me, and out the door to the exhausts in the cabin and head. I also snipped the wires to the bilge fan that before could only run with the key on - beep - beep - beep and added a breaker and ran wires form the main panel to supply it and the aft berth fan. The reason for this is I sleep next to the motor and I want to exhaust heat from it ASAP after motoring in to an anchorage or slip. Stan
On my c320 as in previous boats I installed a 4" 24hr solar vent/fan intake in the forward hatch and a 4" 24hr vent/fan exhaust in the highest cabin hatch. Within a month I'll also be installing a 3" 24hr solar vent/fan exhaust in the head hatch. I also have 12v Hella fans mounted near and drawing 12v from the cabin lights in the forward section of the cabin to help move the air towards the exhausts. This winter I have also wired a 12v Hella near the hatch at the foot of the forward side of the aft berth to grab air from the hatch, blow it by me, and out the door to the exhausts in the cabin and head. I also snipped the wires to the bilge fan that before could only run with the key on - beep - beep - beep and added a breaker and ran wires form the main panel to supply it and the aft berth fan. The reason for this is I sleep next to the motor and I want to exhaust heat from it ASAP after motoring in to an anchorage or slip. Stan
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