Which A/C-Reverse Air do you suggest is best?

[Bill Wertz]

I'm looking to add A/C-reverse heat to my Catalina 36MKII 1995 model and would like input from people who have BEEN there! My marina actually suggests I buy the unit DIRECT and then they'll install it. They suggest a 12,000 or 16,000 ArticMarineAir unit as it includes EVERYTHING needed as part of the direct marketing price of $1,750 for the 16,000 BTU unit. Has ANYONE installed a system from this manufacturer? MarineAir appears to be the 800-pound gorilla in this area and perhaps it's justified. But...a system from them, installed, will be over $5,000 and the ArticMarineAir system, installed, is about $3,200 installed and that's a HUGE savings IF anyone has installed it and is happy with the results.I should note that I will NOT be cooling/heating the aft cabin as we use that as our garage so the 12,000 unit, while only $100 less expensive, might work OK and will draw less amperage.We use this boat in Saugatuck MI, at about the 42nd parralel, and it easily gets into the 90's with equal humidity in July and August.Finally, do people who cool their boats NEED to put in the hatch boards? Obviously this lets the cooling to escape into the cockpit but I'd prefer to NOT button up the boat to the point of being in a climate controlled cocoon?Thanks for any advice any of you can provide.Bill & Maria WertzAirWaves

 

[Big Windy]

A/C

I do not have any recommendations on these particular brands, but do have several suggestions. Get the 16,000 btu model, it's what I have in my C320...better too much A/C than not enough, and, never can tell when you will want some air in the 'garage'. If you opt not to put in the hatch boards, the majority of your cool air will find it's way out the opening. My boat has plexi hatch doors...keeps the cool in and lets in some light and lets us see out.

 

[Steve]

Arctic Marine Air

I've read a few stories around the web about Arctic MarineAir. It seems popular with DIY'ers and can be accomplished in a weekend.You'll want to button up pretty tightly though in July and August, otherwise you'll be creating a weather front at your hatch. That will lead to condensation problems and dripping. One of the big advantages of A/C is the humidity control and it would be a shame to negate that.

 

[agolden]

A/C Reverse Cycle System

I have a '93 36 located on the Chesepeak Bay, where it can get very hot and humid during July and August. When the original unit died, I installed a 16k BTU MarineAir unit with the digital montior. I have it vented in the salon, head and v-berth. while it does cost more up-front, I have had it for 4 years and have not had one problem. It keeps us cool and dry all summer long and believe me it runs round-the-clock. The key to getting it cool is air flow over the coils. The more warm air you can move over the coils the cooler it will get. Make sure that you have the largest possible in-take vent area to make this happen. I run it with the humidity sensor and that keeps the moisture out. As for the companionway boards, all we use is our canvas campanionway cover that we had custom made with insallation on the inside between 2 sheets of canvas. I put snaps on the botton and side to keep in place should it become windy.