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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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A/C mounted in bow hatch

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windsong
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USA
318 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/03/2009 : 15:43:38

I don't often sleep on the boat while in a slip, but maybe I would if I had air conditioning, right? Well, at last I got around to adding A/C to the boat. I opted to mount the unit over the bow hatch rather than in the companionway. It has several advantages, but the most obvious is that I don't have to crawl over it to get in and out of the boat. I bought the A/C unit from Lowe's for $99 and scrounged everything else, so it's one of the cheapest things I've ever done to my boat. I do owe a few beers to a friend who sewed the cover...
The key to the project was building a simple duct to divert the air flow from the front of the air conditioner down into the V-berth. For this, I used 1/4" foam board from Office Depot, and then fitted it together with duct tape (the tin-foil variety, not the gray tape). The duct mounts over two wood pegs atop the air conditioner. The boat hatch lays at 45 degrees against the front of the duct. A sewn cover fits over the whole thing, with chains to weight the bottom and create a seal. I also added a handle to the AC unit, which is essential. Always one hand for the boat, right? Besides, it's not a "cruise-and-carry," if you can't easily carry it.
The ease with which it breaks down and transports means I should have no trouble storing it in my garage at home and taking it to the boat for those occasions when I need it.
The 5,000 BTUs cool the boat in no time. Ahhhhh.

Duct diverts air into V-berth. It blows nicely onto the cabin table.

View from top of unit with duct attached to A/C unit. Note the wood pegs, over which the diverter duct slips.

Side view of diverter duct attached to unit.

Oak handle for easy transport.

Michael Hetzer
"Windsong"
2009 Catalina 250 WK HN984
Myrtle Beach, SC

Edited by - windsong on 09/04/2009 04:42:52

islander
Master Marine Consultant

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4024 Posts

Response Posted - 09/03/2009 : 15:49:13

I love a man with a plan! Now where to install the beer tap and keg!

Edited by - on

redviking
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1771 Posts

Response Posted - 09/04/2009 : 04:21:35

Nicely done! I love the duct work to get the cold air down!

When my wife and I decided to stay put in St. Augustine for hurricane season, we neglected to consider the full effects of the humid summer. Finally, we ran to WaLLY wORLD and bought a nice AC unit with a remote control, etc... The way the vent was made -up top like most AC units - caused me to believe that if I flipped the thing over (upside down) it would blow directly into the cabin. Worked for 4 days before the compressor blew up... OK, I'm not a genius, so we bought a refurbed West Marine unit and called it a day.

sten

Edited by - on

GaryB
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Response Posted - 09/04/2009 : 19:20:51

I've got a 6500 Btu unit I got at Home Depot. It looks like it's about the same size. I've been mounting it in the companionway and it is a pain to have to climb over the top. I'm going to try your idea and see how it works on my C25.

Do the 2 - 90 degree turns slow the air flow much or does it come out pretty strong? I usually sleep in the quarterberth and want to make sure I get enough air back there. I guess I could always use a fan to move the air to the back.

Edited by - GaryB on 09/04/2009 19:35:23

windsong
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318 Posts

Response Posted - 09/04/2009 : 19:52:39

Gary,
The duct slows the air some, but I can still feel it on my face when I'm seated at the table, so it's circulating pretty well. I haven't tried sleeping in the quarterberth yet, so I can't answer your question, but if there is a lack of air movement, yes, a single fan would do the trick. I doubt you'll need it, though.

When you build the duct, make sure it extends out a few inches from the air intake on the front of the unit. The duct should not interfere with the flow of warmer air into the unit. Also, get some rubber feet for the unit. It slides around on the deck like it's on ice. I almost lost it overboard! Also, I didn't show it, but unless you want the condensation dribbling onto your bow, you'll want to hook a hose onto the pan overflow.

Good luck!

Edited by - on

GaryB
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4304 Posts

Response Posted - 09/04/2009 : 22:01:00

Thanks for the tips Michael. I'll make sure the duct is away from the intake.

On my unit the vents blow straight out horizontally from the front of the unit instead of angled up like yours. Because of that I'm thinking I can angle the duct closer to 45 degrees. Instead of have 2 90 degree turns I'm hoping I can have 2 45-degree bends and keep the airflow a little higher. Here's a link to the unit I have -->> http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xr5/R-100619177/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

If I could locate a piece of sheet metal duct that goes from a rectangular section large enough to cover the air vents to a round section around 6 or 8" in diameter I could use a section of vent hose to slip through the forward hatch and extend it as far into the boat as I need to. This would allow me to turn it in whatever direction works best.

I wonder if you could use non-slip matting that goes under throw rugs to keep the a/c unit from sliding around on the deck?

It sure would be nice to be able to go in and out of the companionway without having to climb over the a/c!

I stumbled across this neat looking little fan on the HD website. Might work good to move air into or out of the quarterberth on the C25 or from the V-berth area to the main cabin -->> http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xr5/R-100080304/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

Edited by - GaryB on 09/04/2009 22:18:25

dmpilc
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4593 Posts

Response Posted - 09/05/2009 : 08:14:30

Try the perforated non-slip matting from HD for lining shelves, tool cabinet drawers, vegetable bins, etc.
A few squares of Dri-Deck might work, too.

Edited by - on

GaryB
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4304 Posts

Response Posted - 09/05/2009 : 08:47:40

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by dmpilc
 Try the perforated non-slip matting from HD for lining shelves, tool cabinet drawers, vegetable bins, etc.
A few squares of Dri-Deck might work, too.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I've got a couple of rolls in the boat now. I'll try it out later today.

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jerlim
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Response Posted - 09/05/2009 : 20:14:29

Cool...vaguely reminds me of the scrubber adapter they did for Apollo 13...

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DaveR
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2015 Posts

Response Posted - 09/08/2009 : 05:54:19

I've been thinking about your ducting Mike. I have a C-25 and so have bulkheads limiting airflow from the front hatch. Also it's a bit messy to secure. I think an a/c on the cockpit floor with ducting to the bottom hatchboard would work really well, not redirecting air to much so enabling a great flow, out of the way pretty much and draining right out of the cockpit.
Right now I'm using a Carry-on 5000 and am not impressed with it.

Edited by - on

windsong
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318 Posts

Response Posted - 09/08/2009 : 06:25:41

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by DaveR
 I think an a/c on the cockpit floor with ducting to the bottom hatchboard would work really well
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I see your problem, but doesn't the A/C intake need to draw air from within the cabin? Maybe I'm misunderstanding you.

Edited by - on

DaveR
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Response Posted - 09/08/2009 : 14:08:06

It does, doesn't it? Damn, thought I had it all worked out! I guess maybe Frank Hopper was right when he suggested in a thread a year or two ago that really the only way to go is a internal marine a/c.

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GaryB
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Response Posted - 09/09/2009 : 20:49:25

The A/C doesn't have to draw air from within the boat, it will just take longer to cool down because you're not recirculating the already partially cooled air. The humidity levels may stay more elevated than they would if you were recycling the air from the cabin.

Can a marine a/c be mounted in a C25 and if so, how much would they cost? It sure would be nice to flip a switch and have a/c without having to lug a portable unit down to the boat.

Edited by - on

DaveR
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Response Posted - 09/10/2009 : 05:54:38

[url="http://www.defender.com/category.jsp?path=-1|6880|48359|812829&id=813257"]Here's the defender page[/url] with marine a/c's. As far as installation, maybe Frank will read this threat and offer his experience on the subject.

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aeckhart
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Response Posted - 09/10/2009 : 12:54:10

Hmmmmmmmm, air conditioning. Northern Michigan, mid-summer, Lake Superior, 53 degree water temp, 46-55 degree night temps. Sleeping bag a must have.

I don't envy you folks who live in the warmer climates. I wpent 21 years in the Army, most in the tropics or in the south. Liked where I lived but hated the heat and humidity.

On the other hand, we have winter. Average temp around 22 degrees, 300 inches of snow, 4 month sailing season.

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PCP777
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1225 Posts

Response Posted - 09/11/2009 : 09:24:31

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by GaryB
 I've got a 6500 Btu unit I got at Home Depot. It looks like it's about the same size. I've been mounting it in the companionway and it is a pain to have to climb over the top. I'm going to try your idea and see how it works on my C25.

Do the 2 - 90 degree turns slow the air flow much or does it come out pretty strong? I usually sleep in the quarterberth and want to make sure I get enough air back there. I guess I could always use a fan to move the air to the back.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I did this same kind of arrangement this summer that Windsong has done but much simpler. I put the AC unit in front of the forward hatch on a towel so that it's leaned slightly backwards. that's important so that the condensation water doesn't run below. Then I let the hatch close on top of the front of the AC unit and lay a couple big beach towels over the top and side which effectively channels the air below. The V berth gets freezing and I use a couple small plug in fans to push the air from the V berth to the cabin. Even in 100 plus degree Texas summer we were nice and cool down below plus we don't have to step over anything to get to the cockpit. No need for a handle as the AC unit fits through the forward hatch. It looks a bit "red neck yacht club" but it worked great. I spent $149 on a 6500 BTU AC unit but you can get them even less expensive, especially now that they are on clearance. I just kept the AC unit stowed forward on the V berth, now that it's cooling off I'll take it home to the garage. Make sure you get a heavy gauge extension cord.

This set up works fine on a C-25. I just realized you guys might have 250's. Anyway, it's a terrific return on investment.

Edited by - on

PCP777
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Response Posted - 09/11/2009 : 09:29:43

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by aeckhart
 Hmmmmmmmm, air conditioning. Northern Michigan, mid-summer, Lake Superior, 53 degree water temp, 46-55 degree night temps. Sleeping bag a must have.

I don't envy you folks who live in the warmer climates. I wpent 21 years in the Army, most in the tropics or in the south. Liked where I lived but hated the heat and humidity.

On the other hand, we have winter. Average temp around 22 degrees, 300 inches of snow, 4 month sailing season.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Yes, but I can pretty much sail all year long.

Once you get out of the marina and onto the water I've never been uncomfortable. They say it's like 10 degrees cooler on the water? Anyways, the only time we ever needed AC was at the dock. Dropping the hook in July and August, even after 100 degree days, was always nice out on the lake.

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Michael Hetzer"Windsong"2009 Catalina 250 WK HN984Myrtle Beach, SC

Michael Hetzer
"Windsong"
2009 Catalina 250 WK HN984
Myrtle Beach, SC