Adding Window AC. Thoughts, Opinions, Suggestions?

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Toolbox91

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Jul 31, 2020
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I'm now the owner of a new to me 93 Sea Ray 230 Sundancer. First modification has to be adding AC. This time of year I'm okay with a temporary solution but prefer a quick permanent solution. I'm thinking of putting a 5K BTU Window unit in the front wall for a clean install. Im looking for any suggestions of why this may not be a good idea.

I know heat will buildup in the front anchor storage area but thinking I could crack the front hatch for some ventilation. Also I don't think that area self drains so I would have to install a small drain to go through the hull.

Whats everyone's thoughts? Don't worry I can take it. Still in the brainstorming phase. :)
 
AC would be going to the side so it doesn't interfere with anchor storage. I'm obviously losing a speaker but I'm okay with that tradeoff
 

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What is your power source?
Shore power?
Does your boat have a generator?
 
I'll be adding a generator. I'm thinking I'll be going with the Predator 2000. Wanting to setup to be away from shore power. I'll be trailering regularly and don't plan to be staying at marinas
 
One big difference between a marine AC and a window ac is that a marine AC will be far more efficient, particularly in really hot weather. A marine ac is really a heat pump, and as such, uses the water as its source. Bonus, in that it also can function as a heater in the winter. A window ac uses the air and has to work harder when the weather is hot.

A little 2KW generator may have a difficult time keeping up with the demand. I'll leave it to others to pile on about the portable generator on a boat.
 
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They make hatch mounted units (I had one in my 95 230), but you'll need dock power .

A marine generator will cost $10k-$12k, if you can stuff one in a 230. Running anything else risks killing you and your guest. Both issues come up a lot. Solution is a bigger boat with gen/AC.

Popcorn anyone???
 
Installing a proper marine ac unit will increase the value of your boat. Cutting a big ass hole in the front for a window unit will make it worth less. I can't imagine it working very well there.

I know a couple people that have used free standing air conditioners dockside that can be vented out a port or even up thru the side curtains and they work well. Bonus is that installation is almost immediate and no holes to cut.

As far as power, ignoring for a moment the obvious dangers, I have read RVer accounts, and boaters as well, who have tried using 2000 watt generators for AC and find that they cant handle startup load. In addition, they are generally put on the swim platform or hanging off a bow rail. I have a pair of Predators that I use at home and I like em. But they warn against getting them wet so that kinda excludes marine use.

If you search here, there are some very in depth posts on the various issues and dangers of using a portable generator aboard
 
OP, you are getting some very good advice here. I am not piling on with detail, and I expect lots of people reading this post won't waste time piling on, but I can guarantee the advice is a resounding "Don't do it".
 
I also agree with all the advice given here...
 
I dont think you will have the space in the anchor locker.. AC is square while the locker tapers on multiple sides. You also wont get the required outside airflow and it will overheat.. Window units require lots of outside air to circulate across the coils. Without channeling to separate incoming fresh air from exhaust, heat will circulate in the anchor locker and become a hot box.

Have you looked at putting the unit in the door / companionway? Cut plywood to fit, cut/insert AC unit.. temp, quick, effective.
 
markrsimon said:
Have you looked at putting the unit in the door / companionway? Cut plywood to fit, cut/insert AC unit.. temp, quick, effective.
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Really!?!? How would you get out/in the cabin?
 
Put in a proper marine unit. Not that hard. It will make the boat better.

Absent that, the portable unit that you can vent out the hatch or window would work.

good luck
 
JimG said:
Really!?!? How would you get out/in the cabin?
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Plywood is half height of door, enough to hold AC unit.. Step over (or move AC) to enter/leave. Separate plywood piece (1” foam preferred) for the top portion which can be easily inserted/removed. Didnt say it was completely practical - but if you’ve got dock power and a window AC unit - its nice to have a cool cabin. You could even add hinges, but thats adding holes. Saw my neighbor in put in bay with this setup years ago and copied it when I had my 260.
 

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HawkX66 said:
If you have to have A/C and aren't willing to install it the "right" way, look at portable A/C units like this one. I threw one in my cabin last night so I could work on a few things. It doesn't cool near as fast as the marine unit though.

https://www.amazon.com/LG-Inverter-Technology-Portable-Conditioner/dp/B07NC2QM6V/ref=sxin_10?ascsubtag=amzn1.osa.56ac13de-e180-4878-ad0f-4b3c8d39700a.ATVPDKIKX0DER.en_US&creativeASIN=B07NC2QM6V&crid=H8AI48WCE2UD&cv_ct_cx=portable+air+conditioner&cv_ct_id=amzn1.osa.56ac13de-e180-4878-ad0f-4b3c8d39700a.ATVPDKIKX0DER.en_US&cv_ct_pg=search&cv_ct_wn=osp-single-source-gl-ranking&dchild=1&keywords=portable+air+conditioner&linkCode=oas&pd_rd_i=B07NC2QM6V&pd_rd_r=c0607318-0a6b-4bbd-97d5-b3014e90ecd3&pd_rd_w=fenMI&pd_rd_wg=BIAio&pf_rd_p=a29fe53f-ba7f-4e09-a35e-6233fe3eb4d3&pf_rd_r=J55QQ35WN85DFRAQMA11&qid=1596717420&sprefix=portable,aps,245&sr=1-1-d9dc7690-f7e1-44eb-ad06-aebbef559a37&tag=thewire06oa-20

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HawkX66 - Can you share how you installed and use this approach? Thanks, Michael
 
2016FLD said:
HawkX66 - Can you share how you installed and use this approach? Thanks, Michael
Click to expand...
I plugged it in above the sink and fed the exhaust tube out the vent window above it. Very simple.
For me, this is just when the boat isn't in the water. The pic of the marine unit is my boat.
 
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