[C320-list] Air Conditioning

[Phil Dubiel via C320-list]

Has anyone installed or had air conditioning installed? My wife insists we
have air this year. I recently received a quote of $8,300 to have the job
done. That seems a bit high to me. So I have a few questions for those who
have added AC...
1. Did you do it yourself?
2. Is it a hard or complicated job?
3. What was the cost for a do-it-yourself project?
4. What was the cost to have it installed?
5. How large a unit do I need?
6. Where did you install it?
Any other information would be helpful and appreciated.

Phil Dubiel
Cleveland, Ohio
1996 / Sail #365

[Troy Dunn via C320-list]

Phil

Recco you read this article on the associations web site and think through
the pros and cons of DIY etc as well as your own comfort/skill level and
proceed from there.

Plenty of folks can make reccos once you have a general idea of how you
want to proceed.

https://c320.org/filemgmt/index.php?id=190&query=Air+conditioning

Troy Dunn
Hull #514

[Chris via C320-list]

I had it on Amanda Rose. It was fitted by the previous owner and worked
exceedingly well. The main unit was on a shelf/tray over the fuel tank
drawing in air direct from the aft cabin via an adjacent grill. The
outlet pipe crossed to the port side and there were outlets at the
forward foot of the bed in the afternoon cabin, into the galley above
the cupboard on the aft bulkhead and in the forward cabin at the
junction between bulkhead and hull on the port side. The trunking pipe
was threaded via the seat backs in the saloon.
In the. Cockpit locker the trunking was suspended high up and outboard.

On 3 Apr 2026 12:43, Phil Dubiel via C320-list

[David Crosby via C320-list]

Phil,

I installed an air conditioner on my 320. I bought a Marinaire 16K unit in Nov. 2024.
16,000 Btu/h Self Contained Marine Air conditioner and Heat pump 110-120V/60Hz $2,338.00
MarinAire circulation pump MFP500KT, 500 GPH, salt water & fresh water 110V $215.00
Shipping $106.74

Another $330 for plumbing items (Defender Marine). I already had an available thru hull and strainer:
ACR Bronze Pipe Tee Coupler – ½" - SKU: 503778TEE012 $7.42
ACR Bronze Square Head Pipe Plug – 1/2"- SKU: 503773FIT012 $6.38
Groco Bronze Pipe to Hose Fitting - 3/4" NPT x 3/4” - SKU: 503826750PHA $7.96
(2) Groco FFC Series Full-Flow Pipe To Hose Adapter - 90 deg. - ½" NPT x 3/4” - SKU: 503444FFC0500 $27.88
(3) Groco FF Series Straight Full-Flow Pipe to Hose Adapter - ½" NPT x 3/4” - SKU: 503443FF-0500 $27.21
Groco PN Series Pipe Nipples - 1/2" NPT - SKU: 503493PN-050 $7.74
Marinco Shore Power Inlet - 30A - 125V – 301EL-B - SKU: 203274 $51.99
Forespar 253 Series Marelon Mushroom Head Thru-Hull Fitting – ¾" - SKU: 503525253034 $16.76
Blue Sea Systems AC Main Circuit Breaker Panel – 8077 - SKU: 201707 $96.99
Ancor Marine Grade Flat Triplex Electrical Cable – 12/3 25' - SKU: 203702 $39.99
Scandvik Breeze Power-Seal 316 Stainless Steel Hose Clamp (10-Pack) - 9/16" - 1 1/16" (14 - 27 mm) - SKU: CM1777664 $21.99
Sales Tax $18.58

And there is duct work and vents. I know I have every last cost recorded but it is mixed in within my tracking spreadsheet and at this time I am not readily seeing it. I know that I spent around $4,000 for the total project. It was all DYI. You will be shocked at the cost of vent grills.

I collected pieces through out the winter of 24/25 and then did my install spring of 25.

I kept leaning towards a smaller unit. My friend kept repeating that I need the 16K unit. In the end, I am glad I have the 16K unit. I keep the boat on a lake in southern Illinois about 50 miles east of St. Louis. The summers are quite warm and the larger unit is necessary.

Again, I did not need to add a thru hull, so the entire project was done with the boat in the water.

I built an accurate mockup out of cardboard for fit tests. I ultimately installed it in the aft starboard locker.

For our first summer with the boat, I borrowed the tower unit I had on my Catalina 250 and placed this in the wedge at the entrance of the V berth. I made a hatch cover with an opening for the AC vent out of silver poly tarp and chain (weight to keep it in place). This worked great. It is just the two of us and we did not need the v berth for anything other than storage. This solution is approximately. $300.

Good Luck,

David Crosby
Carlyle Lake, IL
C320 #006, S/V Alizé

[John Beck via C320-list]

Did my own, it’s a 2 day job, mounted mine in the starboard lazzarette
with a soft start, will run off batteries, is a bit of boat yoga. Biggest
deal was running duct work and thermostat
John Beck
New Bern NC
Sail On
#518
Jb

[Charles Holbrook via C320-list]

Phil:
I am just down the coast from you at Port Clinton, Ohio and my wife and I agree with your wife.  You need an AC unit if you stay overnight on your boat.  Their are a lot of things to consider to answer your questions.
I inherited my AC unit when I bought the boat so I'm not sure of the cost but $8,300.00 does not sound outrageous.But.....What size AC unit is being quoted.  My unit is small 8,000BTU and does not work for keeping any cabin space cool during the day.  It is fine at night for sleeping when the sun is not beating down on the deck.  My research has shown (but not tested) a Dometic 16,000BTU would be a better AC system for our boats.  West Marine carry them for about $3,000.00 but does not include circulation pump or duct work. This system runs off of 115 volts so you need to be tied to the dock with shore power with at least 30 amp service. A do-it-yourself Dometic 16,000BTU install would probably run around $5,000.00. 
Where do you want to install it?  My unit sits above the aft starboard side fuel tank with access through the aft starboard side lazarette. Not an ideal location because the fresh air return is noisy and is right by my head in the aft cabin so I sleep in the V berth most of the time..  To keep any other space cool we have to keep the aft cabin door open, V berth panels off, and three circulating fans running to move air.  Additionally, about three years ago I had to remove the AC to get to my leaking fuel tank.  Lots of work and very tight spaces.
If you are handy, the installation job is not complicated but you will need to cut a thru hole for a circulation pump and other holes in the bulkheads for fresh air return and duct work.. I would let a professional install the thru hull.  If I was looking for a new AC installation and not a replacement I would put it in the port side storage locker.  I have been on a couple of 320's with split systems that seem to work well.  I don't know anything about them or how they work. Maybe someone else can offer some advice on a split AC unit.
I will ask around for a couple of quotes and see what Port Clinton boat yards want for a new AC installation for comparison.
Hope this helps a little.  
Charlie Holbrook95' Catalina 320 "Nautigirl"Port Clinton, Ohio

[Onat Dogruer via C320-list]

We have the Kingfisher 12V DC air conditioner. My wife and I installed it
in the port lazarette to cool the aft cabin, and we can divert it to the
salon if needed.

[--Bill via C320-list]

I installed a 12k btu heat pump myself. The installation took me far longer than I expected…
-I placed the heat pump unit in the forward part of the port locker. To fit the unit all the way forward I had to raise the bottom of the storage box over the icebox up around 1 inch. I did this by removing the box, cutting the sides and moving the bottom up. Some other owners have avoided this by doing away with the box entirely, but I wanted to keep the storage space.
-I used isolation tape under the tray that the unit sits in. https://www.homedepot.com/p/HushMat-Quiet-Tape-Shop-Roll-30300/310188415?source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&fp=ggl
-The fan discharge vent is above the storage box blowing forward. When cutting the rectangular opening for the vent I was surprised when I saw copper shavings This turned out to be the 12v wiring for the aft galley light that the builder had embedded into the fiberglass! Fortunately I was able to get to both ends and splice a repair.
-I modified a sheet metal register from a big box store to fit and make the transition from round flexible duct to the rectangular discharge vent.
-The supply vent is in port wall of the aft cabin.
-The water intake is tee’d to the head intake with a bronze tee from McMaster-Carr. The head tubing was a different size than the pump so I also needed an adapter that I placed above the water line by the pump. The tubing routing is under the galley sink then aft and up through the port locker liner.
-I installed the water pump (self-priming) on the wall of the port locker.
-The water pump discharge tubing is over the port locker and down to a new stainless steel thru-hull fitting just above the engine discharge thru-hull.
-I used a Sauermann SI-30 condensate pump for tray condensate removal. https://www.homedepot.com/p/HushMat-Quiet-Tape-Shop-Roll-30300/310188415?source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&fp=ggl
The condensate pump is mounted on the locker wall but the float switch is down by the tray near the supply vent. The float switch needs to be cleaned occasionally so it’s reachable by popping off the supply vent and reaching through.
-Condensate is discharged using a tee into the existing propane tank drain at the stern. The tubing routing is over the aft wall of the port locker.
-For 120V electrical, I mounted the heat pump distribution panel on the port locker wall, with leads to the two pumps (each with fuses). Main power comes from a breaker from Catalina Direct installed in a spare accessory opening in the boat breaker panel.
-The heat pump thermostat/controller wiring is routed along the port wiring harness above the galley. The controller is mounted forward of the breaker panel where a radio is installed.
-The heat pump unit must be enclosed so that air is recirculating via the supply and discharge vents and not getting much outside air so a custom box must be made that conforms to the locker shape and is removable for occasional maintenance later. I sealed edges with household window insulation tape where there were small gaps.

—Bill Ackerman
1995 #320 Tortuga
Gulfport FL

> On Apr 3, 2026, at 9:49 AM, Charles Holbrook via C320-list <c320...@lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
>
>  Phil:

[Dave Hupe via C320-list]

We have a 16,000 btu heat/AC unit installed by the previous owner in the front of the port lazarette. The air intake grill is located in the aft bedroom on the port side (at our feet sleeping). We have one outlet vent into the main cabin located just above the "breadbox". It works very well but the aft cabin door must be left open for air circulation. 
It has made the boat very comfortable. The unit can be set in 3 modes (cool, heat, auto shift between cool and heat to maintain a set temp). 
Dave Hupe
1994 C320 #32
Holland, MI 

On Friday, April 3, 2026 at 07:45:39 AM EDT, Phil Dubiel via C320-list <c320...@lists.catalina320.com> wrote:

[Anthony Sessa via C320-list]

Mine is a 1994 and I’m having to replace it cause it’s just worn out. They start at about $2700 for that size boat, but you either need a generator or Shore power in order for it to work. I used mine with a small Honda generator. Replacement obviously is easier than starting from New so I can’t tell you the difficulty, but it does appear to be quite a bit of work between installing the drain line the lines for the pump and the water inlet through the hall, at least that’s how mine is set up
Sent from my iPhone

> On Apr 3, 2026, at 8:21 AM, Chris via C320-list <c320...@lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
>
>  I had it on Amanda Rose. It was fitted by the previous owner and worked

[Dave Hupe via C320-list]

Possibly just get recharged? Worth inquiring?

Dave Hupe 
1994 C320 #32

Yahoo Mail: Search, Organize, Conquer

On Fri, Apr 3, 2026 at 2:11 PM, Anthony Sessa via C320-list<c320...@lists.catalina320.com> wrote: Mine is a 1994 and I’m having to replace it cause it’s just worn out. They start at about $2700 for that size boat, but you either need a generator or Shore power in order for it to work. I used mine with a small Honda generator. Replacement obviously is easier than starting from New so I can’t tell you the difficulty, but it does appear to be quite a bit of work between installing the drain line the lines for the pump and the water inlet through the hall, at least that’s how mine is set up

[Brian McLamb via C320-list]

One of the best improvements ever put on Serenity. My dealer installed it
and it was included in my purchase back in 2006. I have a Mermaid brand
16000BTU version installed in the aft port locker. Feeds in to the salon
above the bread box in the galley above the refrigerator. One out let and
return is in the aft cabin. Had worked trouble free for 20 years. I’m
eastern NC so this reverse cycle heat/ac has been indispensable for my
climate.

Brian McLamb

[Jack Brennan via C320-list]

I installed a Webasto 12,000 BTU FCF Platinum a couple of years ago. ($1,900 today at Defender.) I've found it perfect in west central Florida, one of Earth's hellholes in summer, and run it 24/7 at the dock when the temperature is more than 90 and the humidity is sky high.

DIY with the help of a contractor friend, who charged 1k to build the box that surrounds the unit, make and install the teak grill for the cabin and run the ducting. Total cost was less than 3.5k, I think. A local "pro" quoted me a minimum of 7 or 8K.

The unit is forward in the port locker. Intake grill is into the aft cabin. The air exits in the grill over the fridge. I removed the bread box to make it fit.

You have to install a 110-volt breaker on the panel and run the wire back to the unit, which required some disassembly in the cabin. You need a free through hull, which leads to a Groco strainer and a 110-volt pump. Take your time and follow the instructions. It's not difficult if you know basic electrical and plumbing on your boat.

Don't plug into the dock until everything is complete.

Jack Brennan
Sonas, 1998 Catalina 320
Tierra Verde, Fl.

[bobwyllner--- via C320-list]

I have a 12,000 BTU on my 2005 which I believe to be a factory install although I'm not 100% sure of that being the third owner.

Unlike the good experience that Jack shared below with his 12 battling the Florida heat, my unit struggles in the heat of the day in the sunny Chesapeake Bay latitude.

I've wondered if a freon charge would make a difference or is in order?

Has anyone done this with a noticeable improvement?

Thanks all

Bob
Antares - 2005 -Hull 1039

________________________________
From: C320-list <c320-lis...@lists.catalina320.com> on behalf of Jack Brennan via C320-list <c320...@lists.catalina320.com>
Sent: Friday, April 3, 2026 5:07 PM
To: C320...@Catalina320.com <C320...@Catalina320.com>
Cc: Jack Brennan <jackbre...@outlook.com>
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Air Conditioning