Air Conditioning

[Peter Larson]

I am considering installing air conditiong in our C36MkII. I'm thinking that I'll set the unit under the forward seat in the u-shaped dinette, tee water intake from the head intake, route the water out and tee into the anchor locker drain. Does anyone have suggestions and/or recommendations of product, installation tips, etc.

[Keith]

I installed a 19,000 BTU on my 91 Catalina 36. I placed it under the v-berth and ran the drain out the anchor well drain with a T as you are thinking about. I later changed it to its own outlet 6 or 8 inches back. The reason I moved it was I wos worried that if the drain hole got plugged up for some reason, it would fill the anchor well and then who knows where. I also felt that my anchor line seemed more moist most of the time. I feel it should have its own drain. I also suggest that you go with the heat pump. We use the heat some times as much as the cooling. The units do make noise so use plenty of insulation. Also try to use the largest unit that you can. The deck of the 36 does not have much insulation and on days above 90 or very sunny days, I am doing well just to keep it down below 80. Remember the 36 has alot of volume in the cabin that most boats this size do not. Hope this helps some.

[Gene Foraker]

I haven't installed yet, but I have been eyeing the area under the nav station. The pull out seat is just in the way most of the the time and if I want to do sit down navigation down below, I can use the starboard settee. I really can count the times I've wanted to do sit down navigation out of the cockpit on one hand in the past 15 years. I could rip out the seat and add the airconditioning and a nice looking storage locker in that area.What about a split unit for more flexibility? I use the forward berth so we could only cool the aft cabin when needed. Doesn't that use one compressor and two condensers? There haven't been been many AC's on sailboats around here, but when Lake Erie heats up to around 80 and the Temp and humidity are both in the high 90's, we can't be that much different from Texas.

[Mike s/v Chute the Breeze]

Peter, I was having the same thoughts a few years back and was leaving for a 2 week vac. so one of the guys on the dock gave me his cruise-air to use it's a carry on. It works great!! gets rid of the humidity and has to be run on low at nite. I'm also on Lake Mich. and for the few weeks that I need a/c it works fine us. Needless to say I have my own now, I stow it in the vee birth or dock box when not in use. It takes 2 min's to put in. Just an option to think about Mike WD9EOU C-38 Michigan City, IN

[TE BALON]

Do not tee into the head pick up, every time you pump the head you will air lock the ac pump. Been there tried that . It needs its own thru hull Tom Balon

[TE BALON]

Do not tee into the head pick up, every time you pump the head you will air lock the ac pump. Been there tried that . It needs its own thru hull Tom Balon

[Gary Groth]

I have a 93 model, one of the 1st with the 2 cabin layout. I put a 19,000 BTU air/reverse heat unit under the nav. station. I never used the thing and the chair was preventing me from opening the back cabin door to get things in and out. I also installed a converter in this spot. After insulating it, it is very quiet. Was easy to run vents to the back cabin and V berth/head too.I have the condensate drain into the bilge and it draws it's water from the old macerator through hull opening. Thethe water discharge goes out throught the hull under the nav. station. Goo luck on your installation.