What size boat and what size AC do you run?

[redunculous]

Hi all

I am lucky to own a 40.5 Legend, I'm currently installing a 16,700 BTU aircon unit and was told today this may not be enough and I should think about installing a 9000 in the back cabin.

The thing is, I've had a 9000 standalone sat in there this past week as I've been working down below and its cooled down the cabin significantly to the point where its been pretty comfortable - I'm in Florida and sat in a windless marina as I carry out the work required so its been hot!

Opinions, facts, guesses and personal knowledge all welcome.

Kind Regards

Redunc

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

We had one 16k BTU unit on ours and it kept the boat cool, even with a dark green hull, but that was in RI, not Florida. During the hottest days in RI, it wouldn't get the cabin below 75.

 

[kloudie1]

Hunter 34 .. 12500BTU and it is barely OK in the heat of the day.. I would have put in a 16000 if I could have fit it where the unit is now.. The newer 16K units will fit but back in '94 when I put the unit in, the 16's were too tall ..

 

[dparilla]

Oday 35, 16500 BTU cools below 80 even in DC summer of 98 degrees. Keeps the cabin dry and comfortable on all but the most extreme days.

 

[redunculous]

Hmm sounds like I maybe a little short on BTU, however surely I can just shut off the aft and forward vents if I'm in the cabin and close the doors?

The same goes if I go to bed, I can increase the airflow to the sleeping areas and shut off the main cabin

Am I living in a dream world here?

 

[Sailgunner]

I have a 16K in the salon and 9K in the aft cabin on my 410.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Hmm sounds like I maybe a little short on BTU, however surely I can just shut off the aft and forward vents if I'm in the cabin and close the doors?

The same goes if I go to bed, I can increase the airflow to the sleeping areas and shut off the main cabin

Am I living in a dream world here?

That's what we did and found it an effective alternative to installing a second unit. I'd try it before spending the money and effort.

 

[redunculous]

Thanks Don

Thats given me some comfort and my wallet a breather!

 

[Rich Stidger]

In my 1997 h40.5 the factory installed A/C's are 16K for the main salon and vee berth, and a 5K for the aft cabin. During a recent 90 degree day with lots of humidity, the main salon was in the low to mid 70's, and the aft cabin was about 71.

Don has a good point- if you can get by with a single 16K unit, do so. Try it first, you can always add a second unit later.

 

[Benny17441]

I agree a 16K may not be enough for Florida. If you do decide to go with a single unit I would suggest you also get yourself a deck canvas awning to keep the deck surface at ambient temperature. Hosing the the deck down periodically will also keep the deck cooler through evaporation.

 

[Dan Johnson]

Redunc...

Just spend a scorcher weekend on the Chesapeake. Have a 12,500 btu ac unit like Kloudie in my H34 that kept the cabin in the 70's with the ambient in the 90's. Big secret: hatch covers to cut off the heat gain! Gives a good 10 degree benefit! Get them here in the SBO store.

 

[Steve Kamp]

We have 16k in the salon, 5k in the aft cabin, hunter 38 They have served well, but in the Chesapeake we had to clean sea nettles out of the intake strainers three or four times daily

 

[SV Escapade]

Hmm sounds like I maybe a little short on BTU, however surely I can just shut off the aft and forward vents if I'm in the cabin and close the doors?

The same goes if I go to bed, I can increase the airflow to the sleeping areas and shut off the main cabin

Am I living in a dream world here?

One word of advice for this technique. Escapade, 08 41ds, came with the 2 unit (16000 and 9000 btu units) setup. The units are actually wonderfully efficient. With strong blower motors. I was in the habit of closing at least half of the vents on the rear unit. Well, there was only so many cubic feet of chilled air that could be forced through the remaining open vents. On humid days, the front of the unit, the "radiator" assembly right behind the return air vent, started to ice over. With no airflow over the coils, only luke warm air would come out the vents. I was at a loss for a few days. I cleaned the vent, replaced the "filter", replaced the filter again with a better one, and still the icing problem. Finally, for no apparent reason, I opened all the vents. Viola' ! No more icing! Ever again! So, as dock mates and I talked this through in subsequent afternoon engineering sessions, (Admiral would probably call it something like "you and your buddies standing around drinking rum and lying to each other!) we came to the decision that the efficient fan needed sufficient outlets for the chilled air that at least matched the cubic foot of air the fan was rated for. Otherwise the super chilled air would escape back into the cabinet the air conditioner is located in and eventually cause the external moisture on the evaporator coils to freeze. So, long story to warn that closing a lot of vents can have unintended effects!