Good afternoon,
As the days get hotter, I am thinking about getting a portable air conditioner that will plug into the 110 outlet when we are at the dock.
Has anyone here done this for a 26 where space is at a premium? I will store it while sailing so this is just for at the dock Any efficient placement or ducting ideas for when it is in use?
Thanks in advance for any info.
Don Gill
“White Wing”
NS 26U, #196
Burlington, Ontario
Yup! I live in South Florida, at first I had a in the over head hatch Air Conditioner. When that died and I was shocked by the replacement price I bought a window Air Con unit. I made sure it fit in the main hatch (entry way) cut the ends off the expandable sides and used some Starboard to fit in the top and the top hatch board finished it off. You do have to step over the unit, but you soon get used to that. I’m on my second AC unit and figure I can buy another ten and still have it be cheaper than getting another over head AC unit.
Gerard van Boven
NS 26 #83 Tabby
Ft Lauderdale
Hi Don -
I use a vertical unit like this one: https://www.lg.com/us/air-conditioners/lg-lp0820wsr-portable-air-conditioner
It rolls wherever we need it but generally I keep it in the galley. Keeps the whole boat at a decent temp.
8,000 BTU is a little small for my 30U, 10k BTU would be better for the hottest days. 8k should work perfect for a 26U.
The unit has a round 6" exhaust duct that reaches to the galley deck hatch. I fitted a piece of plywood that fits into the hatch only when using it. The entire unit rolls into the shower space and I secure it to the shower door when we are underway.
I only bring it on board once the nice parts of Spring and early Summer have passed.
Bob Gehrman
NS30U #396 “Quickbeam”
Baltimore, Maryland
Hi Bob,
Your post is interesting, any chance you could send a photo of your installation including the 6” duct connected to the galley hatch.
Thanks,
…..Ed
Ed and Marlene Brost
SaSeaCat N30U #322
Sarnia Yacht Club
Sarnia Ontario
Fantastic and timely topic,
I was just perusing Canadian Tire’s latest portable AC offerings. Looks like $350 CDN gets you an 8000 BTU solution.
We’d park in in the “garage” (the port quarter berth) and vent the hot air out the cockpit window. (next to the folding bikes)
Caveat: Having set my kids up in University squalor with these things, the efficiency is lousy. Any air exhausted as cold from the unit has to be replaced by sucking in ambient hot air (self defeating)… But better than nothing.
I suppose if we know the “low end” solution is ~$500. It would be interesting to know what a proper AC installation on a 26 would be. Do we have any cool cats (sorry) out there that have invested in this the right way?
Cheers,
Mike Read
NS26C #120 Nauti Girl
Bath, ON
I can’t find any in my phone but I will get some pics and send them to the group.
Stay cool!
Boat AirCon units in the companionway, you say ?? That’s my baileywick !!
I sail a little NS 22. Eons ago, on my Carter 30 sloop, I owned a Cruisair drop-it-on-a-hatch unit. Very powerful, a bit noisy and it weighed 60 lbs., give or take. I don’t think that they are available now.
On MOUSTACHES, I installed the smallest window unit that I could find (after a month-long search) in the lower part of the companionway. Remember, this is an NS 22. Still, the unit puts out 4000 BTU and it will freeze us out in a few minutes on a stinkin’ hot day. But, as quiet as it is … it’s a window aircon unit and it’s mildly noisy.
It cost me the grand sum of $164.00 CAD at a Rona store in Toronto and it’s called an “Uber”. Can you imagine THAT ?? But, that sucker really works. And, it’s been there, all the time for years including when the boat is on the hard in the dead of winter.
This whole idea works but don’t go for one that is too big - there is no need.
Ernie A. in Toronto
Evening;
Nonsuchers…FOR YOUR INFO AND WHAT IS WORTH;
I JUST PURCHASED A (FRIEDRICH #ZCP10SA ) portable air conditioner; for my Nonsuch 26 . its relativity small and easy to use and store. below are some of the unit highlights… price range seems to be between $450 to 590
Stay Cool
Ron B
Buona Vita
NS 26
Ernie and Gerrard
Ernie is that a table or a step on top of the unit in the first photo? Looks like a table.
It’s too hot at the dock lately and one of these is in our future.
The 26 companionway is 46cm or 18 inches wide at the bottom. The window units at 8000btu were all too wide but it looked like the smaller 5000 btu units would fit.
Tom
26C 28
Penetang
Tom -
It’s a small table that sits on a cover that sits on the A/C. When not in use, the table sits UNDER the cover. At all times, the butt-ugly and unsalty-looking A/C is covered except when in use. I did make the mistake of turning the A/C on with the unit covered. Only did that once and thought that I was setting the boat ablaze.
Yes, I kind of have to clamber over the A/C to step on the steps down to get below. I’ve had to extend the steps a few inches.
This A/C did fit into the bottom hatchboard. I simply made a plywood copy of the actual hatchboard and did a cutout of the A/C. It really is the very tiniest window A/C unit that I could find anywhere - 4000 BTU but it works well. The bigger the unit, the noisier and that must be a consideration. I sincerely believe that 4000 BTU would do the trick on a 26 or, I’d bet, a 30. No kidding.
All that you need to consider is the actual width and height of the unit itself, not all of the louvres, masking side pieces, etc. Ignore the “minimum window sizes” that may be listed.
And, don’t get any one of these cheap “personal, portable A/C” units (some even battery operated). They are “swamp coolers” i.e. evaporative coolers. They work best in the Mojave Desert and worst, on the water, on a boat.
My A/C unit will be put to good use tonight …
Ernie A. in Toronto
Thank you to everyone who has responded. The advice and counsel is much appreciated.
Best
Don
“White Wing”
NS 26U, #196
Burlington, Ontario
