A/C sizing

[Jm2fly]

Thinking about adding a heat pump or at least air conditioning on our 33' sailboat.

Anyone else with a similar size boat able to tell me what size in BTU you have?

Also any suggestions on make or anything else?


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[thinwater]

Originally Posted by Jm2fly

Thinking about adding a heat pump or at least air conditioning on our 33' sailboat.

Anyone else with a similar size boat able to tell me what size in BTU you have?

Also any suggestions on make or anything else?


Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum

Sizing varies with the climate. I have 10K on a 34' catamaran on the Chesapeake, and a little more would be nice. So I would say 10K is about right for you, with a smaller boat in cooler water farther north.

Also consider available space and power. If you stay under 12K you can probably run on a spare 20a breaker, simplifying installation. You may also have shore power limitations. These are the reasons I went with 10K, and I am satisfied; no point in having something you can't easily power.

A heat pump makes no sense in a northern climate IMHO. As soon as there is frost you have to winterized and it is done. Can't run it again until the water is above 40F, to avoid icing. In other words, unless you are in FL or CA, it only works when you don't needed. Get a fuel based heater.

[pesarsten]

I installed a 12,000 btu webasto ac with heat on my 34 ft sabre, cools my boat perfectly even here in Florida. Have not needed the heat function yet, won't use that till this winter.

[Jm2fly]

Originally Posted by thinwater

Sizing varies with the climate. I have 10K on a 34' catamaran on the Chesapeake, and a little more would be nice. So I would say 10K is about right for you, with a smaller boat in cooler water farther north.

A heat pump makes no sense in a northern climate IMHO. As soon as there is frost you have to winterized and it is done. Can't run it again until the water is above 40F, to avoid icing. In other words, unless you are in FL or CA, it only works when you don't needed. Get a fuel based heater.

We aren't planning on staying in a northern climate! This next will be our last winter. Heading east to the Atlantic Ocean and then south next summer.


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[thinwater]

Originally Posted by Jm2fly

We aren't planning on staying in a northern climate! This next will be our last winter. Heading east to the Atlantic Ocean and then south next summer.


Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum

12K reverse cycle then!

Do check the breaker requirements, make sure the water flow is up-hill to the pump, and awnings and window covers really help.