Hello all. I recently purchased my first boat and am currently in the middle of my huge learning curve. its a 1998 450. Right now it does not have A/C. It has all the duct work and electrical but i need the heart of the beast. From what iv'e read i'll need 2 units, one for forward and one aft. My questions are : 1. what brand should i go with? 2. any idea on how much money it should cost for the units. And 3. how big should i go? Any information would be helpful. Thank you.
NEW OWNER NEEDS A/C ADVICE
- Thread starter Steve760
- Start date
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 23,322
Congrats Steve on your new boat. Hunter 450. That is a pretty big boat. Hope this is not your first rodeo.
Welcome to the forum.
My experiences suggest get to know the boat before you spend a lot of more money on it.
AC is a wonderful addition if you plan to spend then next 6 months in the Tropics. An expensive addition if your plan is to head to explore Northern waters where a heater is a valuable tool. Fortunately in San Diego you can enjoy the boat without AC for the next 4-6 months.
Planning for the install is a greater issue than the actual install. Planning includes modifications that may be needed to the power required to run 1 or 2 AC units. Will you need Solar or are you going to sit in a quiet bay running your generator, as an example.
What are your sailing plans? Will you be exploring the equatorial coast line of Costa Rica or the Catalina Islands and Baja?
These decision might drive the consideration of AC more rapidly than the gear selection.
Welcome to the forum.
My experiences suggest get to know the boat before you spend a lot of more money on it.
AC is a wonderful addition if you plan to spend then next 6 months in the Tropics. An expensive addition if your plan is to head to explore Northern waters where a heater is a valuable tool. Fortunately in San Diego you can enjoy the boat without AC for the next 4-6 months.
Planning for the install is a greater issue than the actual install. Planning includes modifications that may be needed to the power required to run 1 or 2 AC units. Will you need Solar or are you going to sit in a quiet bay running your generator, as an example.
What are your sailing plans? Will you be exploring the equatorial coast line of Costa Rica or the Catalina Islands and Baja?
These decision might drive the consideration of AC more rapidly than the gear selection.
jssailem. We (my wife, father in law, and myself) are planning on blue water cruising in about a year or so. While i don't have much sailing experience my wife and F.I.L. have lots. In the mean time we are living at the marina and are concentrating on getting to know the boat inside and out before we pull anchor. I'm not in a big hurry for the A/C since we are coming into fall and winter but, i know its a pretty big expense so i'm just trying to get some info on what models i should be looking at.We are hoping to make the Baja Ha- Ha in 2020 and i know i'm gonna need it by then. I do have a solar panel that puts out about 850w of power. I just need someone to point me in the right direction. Thank you for the advice.
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 23,322
That sounds exciting. From what I know of the Mexican coast and it's weather it is very pleasant during the Bahaha event. A bit warmer than a winter in San Diego, but not the tropical heat of the summer months when AC is a life saver..
That said (I do not have AC on the boat), I have heard good things about Wabasto products. They have a good heater and air exchanger. There are Hunter owners here who sail the Gulf Waters. Perhaps @JamesG161 with chime in. He is a bit of a wiz with AC.
I would suspect winter would be an opportune time to do such an install as marina action is less and you might get a winter rate break on work.
Is this a DIY project?
That said (I do not have AC on the boat), I have heard good things about Wabasto products. They have a good heater and air exchanger. There are Hunter owners here who sail the Gulf Waters. Perhaps @JamesG161 with chime in. He is a bit of a wiz with AC.
I would suspect winter would be an opportune time to do such an install as marina action is less and you might get a winter rate break on work.
Is this a DIY project?
You may find this link helpful with your endeavors
Our 41 has a 12K unit for the main and forward cabin and a 9K unit for the aft cabin. I typically don't run the aft cabin unit as it is rather noisy (think hotel AC unit kicking on and off) I just run the main cabin unit and put small clamp on fan in the doorway to the aft cabin.
Our 41 has a 12K unit for the main and forward cabin and a 9K unit for the aft cabin. I typically don't run the aft cabin unit as it is rather noisy (think hotel AC unit kicking on and off) I just run the main cabin unit and put small clamp on fan in the doorway to the aft cabin.
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Yes, it will be a DIY. Fortunately for me my brother does this kind of work.
Hi Steve, our 1991 boat is about the same size as yours, and when Hunter built it they installed a MarineAir 16K BTU reverse cycle heat pump for the main and forward cabin and a 9K unit for the aft cabin. Both original systems work just fine, but since they operate off of 120V AC, they require either a 30amp shore power connection or running our 8KW Onan Genset.
Bigger the better. Check where they are going to make sure the units you choose will fit. On my 410 I have 16 and a 10. I would not go any less. Webasto is good. Also look at good pumps! Don't just get the pumps from the A/C manufacturer. Highly recommend March LC-3CP-MD 115V Pump . Much quieter. Also try to get the pumps and hoses from the thru hulls below the water line.
I own a 1998 Hunter 430 the interior the basically the same. I know the most instruments are exactly the same.
I have a Dometic Turbo 8K Btu[ new $1200] that fits perfectly in the Aft Cabin AC slot.[ Dometic makes MarineAir too]
I have a MarineAir 16kBTU for main Salon and forward Cabin. It is on it last legs and plan to replace it this winter. I will use the Dometic 16K BTU replacement. Dometic will rebate them in the Winter. Hopefully for ≈$2200.
Jim...
PS: I can discuss what is needed with you and your brother by phone if you like.
I have a Dometic Turbo 8K Btu[ new $1200] that fits perfectly in the Aft Cabin AC slot.[ Dometic makes MarineAir too]
I have a MarineAir 16kBTU for main Salon and forward Cabin. It is on it last legs and plan to replace it this winter. I will use the Dometic 16K BTU replacement. Dometic will rebate them in the Winter. Hopefully for ≈$2200.
Jim...
PS: I can discuss what is needed with you and your brother by phone if you like.
Refrigeration systems can be powered by 24vdc, 120vac, or the propulsion motor.
The amount of AC capacity you will need & the number of compartments on the boat that will need to be equipped will depend on your intended use of the boat. If you only need AC for sleeping & only 2 people will be sleeping on the boat, then a small unit just in the main berth is enough. If you have a decent sized house bank, a 24vdc system may fit the bill.
If you need to have AC in a large area of the boat, but you only plan to use it once in a while, then a propulsion motor driven system may be for you.
If you spend most of your time at the dock or if you have a genset, then a 110vac system will probably be more attractive.
The amount of AC capacity you will need & the number of compartments on the boat that will need to be equipped will depend on your intended use of the boat. If you only need AC for sleeping & only 2 people will be sleeping on the boat, then a small unit just in the main berth is enough. If you have a decent sized house bank, a 24vdc system may fit the bill.
If you need to have AC in a large area of the boat, but you only plan to use it once in a while, then a propulsion motor driven system may be for you.
If you spend most of your time at the dock or if you have a genset, then a 110vac system will probably be more attractive.
Works in theory and does the job in practice, but running the Genset while on the hook to keep the boat either warm or cool by operating the air conditioning system or heat pump is somewhat unpleasant. No need for the cooling function around our precincts, but a diesel furnace is far more practical in keeping the boat warm during our winter cruises.
Southern precincts during the summer months make for very unpleasant onboard living conditions. Swamp coolers help, but when hard pressed to keep the crew comfortable while on the hook, I suppose a rumbling Genset would be a fair tradeoff. Better than a mutiny, eh?