A/C install on Crealock 31

[orientalnc2010]

Hey yall,
My wife and I are relocating from Scituate Ma to Oriental NC around the end of August. I am thinking of installing an A/C unit to use at dockside. I did review the archives on this subject and thought that a 16,000 BTU unit would be a bit large.
What size units are out there on 31's and what would you change?

[teejayevans]

Originally Posted by orientalnc2010

Hey yall,
My wife and I are relocating from Scituate Ma to Oriental NC around the end of August. I am thinking of installing an A/C unit to use at dockside. I did review the archives on this subject and thought that a 16,000 BTU unit would be a bit large.
What size units are out there on 31's and what would you change?

I use a 5000 BTU window unit in the companion way, its simple and
cheap (~$100). The downside is I have to step over it, using a tarp
hung over the boom to shade the deck, 5000 BTU is more than enough.
I've seen others rig a enclosure around the hatch, if I lived aboard, I
would do this as well.
Tom

[MARC2012]

I liveaboard & have the same arangement.Find the window unit in the companion way no more pit than cruisaire on last boat but much cheaper. marc

[lsbrodsky]

I think mine was 12,000. In the head wet locker with the intake on the side of the aft berth and one discharge led through the head lockers to the hanging locker aft of the chart table, out the top. It worked fine in some really miserable weather in many southern ports. I never regretted having it, but I did wish it would have worked at anchor...
Larry

[wiley586]

I had a 12000 btu split unit. The compressor was portside aft in the lazarette, the rest of the unit in the wet locker. A shelf in the wet locker over the evaporator unit salvaged the rest of the space in the locker for use. Return air and controls were in the aft bunk. Ducting was led through the bottom compartment of the head cabinetry, across the bottom of the hanging locker, then up the forward side of the locker with vents over the chart table and in the forward bulkehead of the head. Condensate drained into the bilge. All of this had its ups and downs.

Pros: Noise. Compressor was entirely inaudible in the cabin and cockpit. Exhaust water was under the counter (overhang) which was entirely quiet as opposed to the way most boats just piss the water straight out the side. The noise in the wet locker was minimal, just the fan, and that was inaudible in the cabin. All you could really hear was the rush of air out the vents and an almost subliminal 60hz hum. Continuous trickle of fresh water into the bilge seemed to keep smells and such under control.

Cons: Too many bends in the ducting. That cut down on efficiency of the unit. An 8000btu window unit in the companionway actually seems more comfortable, though pretty noisy.

All of this was in Houston TX and Tampa FL, temps in mid-90s and humidity as high as it gets.

[rlaird]

I am looking at either the 9000 or 12000 BTU units. The 9K will fit better in the wet locker back of the head, but I can mount the 12 if you folks think it's necessary?!
Thanks for the feedback!
Rob

[wiley586]

Don't know enough to give a decent answer. Where is the boat? Do you live aboard or just come down occasionally? Does your idea of comfort approach fimbulwinter? Or just taking the edge off the heat so you can sleep? I can say that my 12000 was barely sufficient for me living aboard on the gulf coast.

Something else I didn't mention before. I only had 30 amps shore power to work with. Water heater is about 10 amps. MY ac used a bit over 12 amps including the water pump, with startup draw at about 18, I think. It was not uncommon for me to pop the main breaker if I had anything else going.

[adamowens]

i use a Cruisair 6700 btu carry-on. It is adequate except for the very hottest of days and fine at night when i really need it. i would think a properly ducted 9000 btu unit would be fine.

Adam
PSC 31 Journey

[lsbrodsky]

I agree; I would not have wanted less than 12000. There were some very hot days where it took a while to pull the cabin temp down at night. Part of the reason is that I NEVER ran the AC unattended. The water pump volume and the electrical load scared me too much to leave it on while I went out for dinner and entertainment. 30 amp shore power is pretty typical and I also had to be careful about running the water heater. With the water heater off it was never a problem. Be advised though that a lot of marinas have large, out of spec voltage drops at transient slips and that increases the current draw enough to put you right on the edge.
Larry

[marmoset54]

Would you be able to set up a window a/c unit on a Catalina '34? And if so, would you be able to use it while on a mooring? AND if THAT"S possible...could you power it from a wind generator? I'm planning on sailing her to the caribbean as a liveaboard. is this even necessary?