What size air conditioner for 260?

Jun 28, 2011
120
None now boatless Mobile
I am going to be purchasing an airconditioner for my 260 and was curious if anyone has installed a Webasto or Mermaid unit and if so what BTU are you running? I live in the southern climate so its always HUMID and HOT so I am thinking about atleast a 9,000BTU if not a 12,000BTU reverse cycle.

Thoughts?
 
Nov 6, 2006
10,162
Hunter 34 Mandeville Louisiana
ya probably would be fine with a 9-10 K BTU unit.. I have a 12K in my 34 and it is just barely too small .. the daytime cabin temps in the summer sun in south Louisiana will not get below 78-79, but the dehumidification at that temp makes it comfortable. It can chill the cabin to "meat hanging" temperatures at night when the sun load disappears.
Be sure you put in enough cabin airflow area capacity .. usually a little more square inches than the manufacturer recommends as their minimum. You'll love it..
 
Jun 6, 2006
6,990
currently boatless wishing Harrington Harbor North, MD
also consider sunshades to lower the daytime sun load.
 
Jun 28, 2011
120
None now boatless Mobile
Sunshades? Not sure I'm familiar with them! Does it cover more than a Bimini?
 
Jun 8, 2004
10,531
-na -NA Anywhere USA
Averdunn;

If you call Mermaid and ask about me, you will find out. Adding a permanent style with duck work, wiring and so forth, are you up to that or not. Most prefered experineced folks to do that. I did install alot of them on 260's. You are in a real treat as to the work of installing a permanent ac unit.
 
Jan 2, 2013
74
Hunter 23.5 Lafayette, LA
I have one installed that is about 5200 btu and I have my boat in Pensacola beach FL will freeze u at night but during the day it will get to 80 degrees. The 9000 should work fine.
 
Jun 8, 2004
10,531
-na -NA Anywhere USA
Teebutch, you are correct on the 9000 unit for the 260. I solidly used Mermaid for the service and pioneered many installations on boats to include the 26 and 260. I also like the Condensator unit Mermaid builds that helps to remove the water from the condensation pan via the overboard discharge eliminating issues of the condensation pan from overflowing into the bilge.

One big issue when folks brought their boats to me because the condensor would freeze up was due to poor circulation of air to the unit which necessitated bigger holes for ventilation and even sometimes dc powered fans blowing air onto the unit from the cabin.

When installing, I insisted if a used boat that all gear, cushions, etc. be removed no ifs ands or butts plus the owners could not board until I had a chance to finish and clean up. Sometimes the woman would get apprehensive seeing what had to be done for example cutting holes for the vents and duck work plus it could be messy while I am working. At the end of the day, I would always clean up vs. leaving debri accumulated like I saw a time or two at other installer dealerships.
 
Jun 28, 2011
120
None now boatless Mobile
I think I'm gonna go with the 9000 in hopes that my honda eu2000 generator will run it. As for the installation goes; it doesn't bother me one bit. I am used to doing electrical / avionics work in airplanes and have also been lead designer and mechanic on many stc programs performing retrofit's of new power plants and or engine management systems on numerous aircraft. I like a good challenge every now and then.

Thanks for the replies!!!
 
May 24, 2004
7,202
CC 30 South Florida
Ask any old cruiser and he will tell you that use of awnings over the boat deck to block the sun rays will keep the boat a lot cooler allowing any A/C unit to work better. Even shades for the hatches will do wonders to keep the interior cooler. And old trick is also to spray the deck with water as the evaporating effect will keep it cooler. Keeping that buffer area between the awnings and the deck at ambient temperature can be difference between perhaps 95F and 125F.
 
Jun 8, 2004
10,531
-na -NA Anywhere USA
The Honda generator will handle that but make sure you have nothing else on it when you turn on the AC as the start up pulls the most at that time. You may want to check what Jim Seamans did with his 356 and the same engine running the AC as to what he did running a higher AC as that is covered in the archives.
 
Jun 8, 2004
10,531
-na -NA Anywhere USA
AVER8DUNN;

If you would like to discuss how and where on installation, send me an email with phone unless you have my phone number already.