Air conditioning your yacht. Is the cost and effort worthwhile? In the warm humid conditions of the Australian Whitsunday Islands it seems that no matter what season of the year our Hunter 340 is hot below deck. I would like to know the best methods of air cond. I have been told that I should install a 2.5 kva diesel generator, inverter etc. Is space and weight a problem and where would you install these items?
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Do it!
I had a h336 (pretty much the same boat as your 340) that I bought used that already had air and a generator installed. Prior to that, I never had been on a boat with air. After experiencing it, I don't know that I will ever have a boat without air. I never used it while out sailing, but I used it all the time at dock. With the generator, I also ran it during the day on a mooring, but would shut it off at night. It was nice to even take the edge off and cool down the cabin b-4 bedtime. My boat is my summer cottage, why not be comfortable.
I had a h336 (pretty much the same boat as your 340) that I bought used that already had air and a generator installed. Prior to that, I never had been on a boat with air. After experiencing it, I don't know that I will ever have a boat without air. I never used it while out sailing, but I used it all the time at dock. With the generator, I also ran it during the day on a mooring, but would shut it off at night. It was nice to even take the edge off and cool down the cabin b-4 bedtime. My boat is my summer cottage, why not be comfortable.
I agree
At a dock, in the south, you need the a/c unless the wind is blowin just right.. At anchor, except in the dead of summer, we do ok with fans as long as there is a breeze to help... If I had it to do for myself... I would get the 12v cool breeze from Glacier Bay.. Use it mainly to keep the sleeping quarters cool at night (which is really the only time the heat gets to me) At only 48amps an hour, I would think with a 440 amp bank one could keep the aft stateroom cool after dark and still not draw the bank below 50%.... Of course you would have to have a way to get the power back in the bank the next morning... but that is another discussion
Brian
At a dock, in the south, you need the a/c unless the wind is blowin just right.. At anchor, except in the dead of summer, we do ok with fans as long as there is a breeze to help... If I had it to do for myself... I would get the 12v cool breeze from Glacier Bay.. Use it mainly to keep the sleeping quarters cool at night (which is really the only time the heat gets to me) At only 48amps an hour, I would think with a 440 amp bank one could keep the aft stateroom cool after dark and still not draw the bank below 50%.... Of course you would have to have a way to get the power back in the bank the next morning... but that is another discussion
BrianI like air
I have a Legend 37 with factory 110v air. Great at dock side, and can run it at anchor with Honda EU2000 generator. Last 2 week Bahama trip we anchored out most nights and there usually was a breeze. We used it two nights when breeze dropped and bugs were a problem. When I was shopping for the boat, looked at a 34 where the owner had made a custom hatch board that allowed the use of a window 110v AC unit. He powered it with a 1000 watt Honda. Said it worked great.
I have a Legend 37 with factory 110v air. Great at dock side, and can run it at anchor with Honda EU2000 generator. Last 2 week Bahama trip we anchored out most nights and there usually was a breeze. We used it two nights when breeze dropped and bugs were a problem. When I was shopping for the boat, looked at a 34 where the owner had made a custom hatch board that allowed the use of a window 110v AC unit. He powered it with a 1000 watt Honda. Said it worked great.
couldn't survive at the marina without it
At the marina, the wind is never right to cool the boat. On the hook, if you aren't dealing with current, you are faced into the wind and a cool breeze does go through the boat making it OK. For better results at the dock, rig tarps or shades - the sunbrella custom made stuff is nice but too expensive. I use tarps and PVC pipes to make a sun shade. Keeping the sun off the boat helps the AC and in general makes for a better experience. I don't have a generator, and I don't want to listen to one run when I am in an anchorage.
At the marina, the wind is never right to cool the boat. On the hook, if you aren't dealing with current, you are faced into the wind and a cool breeze does go through the boat making it OK. For better results at the dock, rig tarps or shades - the sunbrella custom made stuff is nice but too expensive. I use tarps and PVC pipes to make a sun shade. Keeping the sun off the boat helps the AC and in general makes for a better experience. I don't have a generator, and I don't want to listen to one run when I am in an anchorage.
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