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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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A/C and Companionway Question

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GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/30/2008 : 15:25:30

Does anyone know the width at the bottom of the companionway opening? I'm trying to buy a window air conditioner unit that will fit in the opening.

Also, do any of you know what BTU a/c I need? I'm thinking 5000 - 7000 Btu's. Frank, what are you using?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Association Member

GaryB
Andiamo
'89 SR/WK #5862
Kemah,TX

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 04/30/2008 : 21:37:38

The angle of the companionway makes an AC there problematic. Most have large vents on the sides to take in outside air which is blown over the heat exchanger and out the back. Many ACs have those side vents located where they will sit inside the boat. Pulling the chilled inside air into the back of the AC and blowing it outside. (You will find the angle of our bulkhead causes issues for compasses too.) Also you will need to put a strong handle on the top of the AC to lift it in and out. You will need triangular side boards to fill the gap do to the straight sides of the AC unit verses the ever widening companionway entrance. You will need a custom top board to fit just right between the top of the AC and the main hatch, and a wide bar bolted to the top of the unit so the AC does not fall out backwards when you take the top hatch board out. (Make sure the unit is tilted slightly backward so the condensation runs into the cockpit instead of into the interior.) You will need a 20 year old wife with a 36" inseam to crawl out over the damn thing. And after using it a couple of times you will decide it is too heavy and too much trouble to take in and out. Anything that stops you from a quick sail is a mistake. Hence my permanently installed quarterberth unit.

Edited by - Frank Hopper on 04/30/2008 21:38:18

sweetcraft
Admiral

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USA
816 Posts

Response Posted - 04/30/2008 : 22:13:04

Since it needs shore power or a big generator you wouldn't be using it underway so aren't some of the units set over a deck hatch with a cloth boot? Skid marks would be prevented with good tie downs. Pictures?

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GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 05/01/2008 : 07:32:31

The unit I bought only weighs 43 pounds, my wife while more than double the 20 year old age requirement does meet the criteria for the inseam and she's as limber as a new willow tree so getting in and out won't be a problem. Besides as I mentioned in the earlier thread about whether our spouses like to sail or not she doesn't go with me that often anyway so this is to keep me happy.

I won't be using it underway or when anchoring out.

I would mount it like Frank's except I don't want to cut up my boat and I weigh 245 so don't need any additional weight in the back of the boat.

I'm still looking for a measurement of the opening if anyone has that available. If not I'll get it Saturday.

Edited by - on

Happy D
Admiral

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921 Posts

Response Posted - 05/01/2008 : 09:11:53

Mine is 18" wide at the bottom.

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dave holtgrave
Captain

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USA
427 Posts

Response Posted - 05/01/2008 : 09:54:45

18 is correct
i cut a piece of plywood so the a/c hangs up of the base of the entry sill.

it is a high set but, i only put on at nite for sleeping.
i really don't want all that weight dragging around on the lake everytime i sail.
being a plump midwesterner i have enough beef on myself.

5000btu is about a 1/2 ton a/c
it cools my very hot cabin in about 20-30 minutes.

dave holtgrave
5722 sk/tr hard and dry still flooded but, looking like may 16 for launch
at carlyle lake in southern illinois

Edited by - on

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 05/01/2008 : 10:17:38

Thank you gentleman! I appreciate your help!

Not sure if the 6,700 Btu unit I bought yesterday will fit but they have a 5,000 Btu that should fit if this one doesn't.

Dave - Yours sounds like it's setup like I was envisioning. Mine will be used exactly like yours. It's only about 100 - 150' from my slip to the parking lot and it's on level ground with a dock cart to move it.

Any chance you have pictures?

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 05/01/2008 : 10:41:23

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by GaryB
 

I would mount it like Frank's except I don't want to cut up my boat

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

, my boat is not cut up. It would literally take me ten minutes to remove the AC and put the stock teak bulkhead back in place. Good luck with the companionway method, I did it and moved on. (It does cool better from the companionway.)

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GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 05/01/2008 : 12:21:26

Frank,

I wasn't saying your boat was cut up! What I was trying to say was that I did not want to mount mine like yours because I didn't want to cut the bulkhead.

I'm not that familiar with that portion of my boat and didn't know what effect cutting the bulkhead would have on the structural integrity of the hull and cockpit. I didn't know it was removable.

I actually like the way yours is mounted and think it was very ingenious the way you mounted yours. I didn't know the bulkhead could be removed that easily. I may end up doing mine like yours.

Edited by - GaryB on 05/01/2008 12:23:56

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3321 Posts

Response Posted - 05/01/2008 : 12:21:34

GaryB - we bought a 5,000BTU A/C from Home Depot. I built a simple stand to fit on the top companionway step, with the front side 1" higher than the back which I made the same height as the sill. When the A/C is placed on it with the back protruding over the sill into the cockpit where it drains.
We drape a sunbrella cover (attached to the inside of the hatch with velcro) over it and it works perfectly.
When we go sailing it's taken off the boat and left on the dock.

Edited by - on

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 05/01/2008 : 12:36:28

Thank you Derek! That's exactly how I was going to build mine. Do you happen to know what model unit you bought?

I've already got a piece of fabric I can use to drape over the unit.

Having sailed many miles on Canyon Lake when I was younger I know how hot it can get in the afternoon. Does your unit keep the boat nice and cool in the afternoon?

Are there many slips available this summer at Canyon Lake Marina? Also, do you happen to know anyone that might have a trailer for sale that would work for a C25 wing keel? I'm looking for a decent trailer so I can sail some up in the Hill Country. I'm already getting tired of Galveston Bay and the hassles of getting in and out through the Kemah Channel on a busy weekend day. It would be nice to motor out a few hundred feet instead of 3 miles.

Thanks again for your help!

Edited by - GaryB on 05/01/2008 12:36:51

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3321 Posts

Response Posted - 05/02/2008 : 11:19:29

GaryB - there are many open slips at Canyon Lake Marina - come on down! I don't know of any trailers for sale.
My A/C keeps the cabin cool even in our 100 degree summers although it does need a half hour to do it after start up.

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GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 05/02/2008 : 12:19:27

Thank you Derek!

If I can find a trailer I'd love to move my boat up there. I miss spending time on that lake. I have a lot of good memories there.

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Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3321 Posts

Response Posted - 05/02/2008 : 13:35:10

I'd love to see you and the boat on Canyon Lake - I haven't been able to race against another C25 since the Cheney Nationals...bummer!

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GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 05/02/2008 : 15:18:02

If you here of anyone with a good trailer for sale let me know.

I would imagine you'd like to have another C25 to race. Especially one that's a wing keel. That's called a guaranteed win for you every time!

Especially with your sail inventory and experience.

Edited by - GaryB on 05/02/2008 15:24:38

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 05/05/2008 : 23:21:23

Well the 6,500 BTU A/C (Frigidaire Model #FAA074S7A) I bought last week at Lowes fit perfectly. Turns out that the companionway opening on my '89 C25 was 19". The A/C is 18-1/2" wide.

I placed an old bathroom rug under the A/C and a lip on the bottom of the A/C hooked on the threshold. I placed a tool box under the back of the A/C so it would tilt down at the back slightly to drain the water.

I put the top hatchboard in and then laid a piece of Sunbrella over the top of the hatchboard and taped the other end to the top of the A/C so it didn't cover any of the openings. Tucked the excess along the sides of the unit to seal out the bugs.

In about 15 or 20 minutes it was 60 degrees in the cabin (at least that's what it was set on and the compressor was cycling off and on every few minutes to maintain the temperature).

The unit is short enough ( I believe 14-1/2") that it wasn't much of a problem to step on the top step and then over the top of the A/C.

I think the simplest way to seal the openings is buy a piece of 2" or 3" thick foam rubber and just cut it to fit along the top and sides of the unit.

If it's raining I either won't be on the boat or will cover it the foam with the Sunbrella.

Edited by - on

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3321 Posts

Response Posted - 05/06/2008 : 10:35:22

GaryB - I like your thick foam idea. I'll try it out when we need the A/C.

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