air condition install

[crazy charlie]

I have used a portable cruise-air unit for about 8 years and it works great.I am just getting a little tired of hauling it through the hatch everytime that I want to use it.I am considering getting a unit installed but am unsure of the labor involved and cost.It would be nice to just flip a switch.Any one tackle this???Charlie

 

[flashback]

Re: air condition install

hi Charlie, years ago I used to do rigging for a sailboat dealer and have installed several ac units. the hardest part is running the duct work thru the boat. although I have never put any in a power boat, I would think it would be easier than a sailboat....I can't remember the company that we got the units from, but they had a complete kit including the ducts, plumbing, and registers. I would always try to install the unit under a settee in the main cabin and then run ducts to the fore and aft under the floor boards as much as possible. your gonna need a good 4 or 5 inch hole saw and a stout drill motor and strong wrists to hold on to that dude...give it a shot, I think you will be fine.....I believe west marine sells the same units that we used...

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: air condition install

Thanks Flash,I am giving it serious consideration.I guess price is next.Charlie

 

[flashback]

Re: air condition install

Charlie, if you need any help give me a holler!!! It is not that hard, I installed ac in 36 to 38 footers, it took about 3 days and worked out fine.... remember, I was trying to make it invisible, if it's your own boat, you can make compromises that will make the job easier and if it dosen.t bother you, it works.........

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: air condition install

Thanks again Flash!!!! you will be hearing from me if I get the guts to tackle it.Charlie

 

[Ben Konopacky]

Re: air condition install

charlie,back a few years i saw an add in one of the marine mags advertiseng a water chiller a/c unit for mrine use.it had under bunk fan cooled coils .don't need those BIG holes just 3/4od for 5/8 od tube, maybe today they could be using plastic even easier,what do you think ???

 

[John Carpenter]

Re: air condition install

I have a reverse cycle unit installed under the v-berth in a 28' Chris Craft & I agree with the previous poster...the biggest problem would be routing the duct work. Mine uses 4" flexible duct which runs under the dinette to supply the two registers in the cabin, and then under the floorboards to supply the one floor register in the head. The return air and control panel are mounted under the filler cushion at the v-berth. Other than that, there is only one hole in the boat for the thru hull that supplies water to the unit. It is a pretty simple and compact installation really.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: air condition install

Ben,if its the one that I think it is ,it requires approx 90lbs of ice or more.Reminds me of the fan behind the bowl of ice cubes routine.Relentless,thats the unit I was considering.I think with the labor it may price itself up too high for me.Still checking.I saw a unit at Boaters world that was the size of a suitcase with an intake and discharge hose and electric cord.Charlie

 

[flashback]

Re: air condition install

Charlie, Relentless mentioned the units were reverse cycle. I would like to add that the heat cycle works quite well. Also, I believe there are some units that use individual evaporators and fans, so all you need to run are the refrigerant lines and electric service to the locations instead of ducting...

 

[John Carpenter]

Re: air condition install

FWIW my unit is 16,000 btu and was made by King-Air in Largo, FL., many years ago no doubt. If you are not familiar with the 28 Chris, it does have a pretty large cabin for a 28 footer. In the middle of a KY summer the a/c side is just barely adequate. However the heat will run you out of the boat in most any weather that you are likely to be on it.<br /><br />Best that I can tell from the info I have on it, the base price for the unit alone, not including the seawater pump, thru hull, duct work etc. in 1988 was $1988.00...no idea what they might be today.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: air condition install

Thats about the limit I will spend to get it done or I will just keep using the hatch unit I have.Charlie