Who uses a/c in the PNW?

[AlanT]

4 Units on board, one for all 4 cabins, one for the skylounge and two for salon/dining. We turn them all on for an hour every few months. That is the only use they have had. Main and upper decks have large sliding windows at sides and aft which provide good airflow, below deck is cooled by the proximity to our 55 degree summer water temp (PNW). ~A

[Bob Cofer]

We don’t.

[tozz]

Originally Posted by bowball

I’m thinking I never used a/c in British Columbia north, except perhaps a few nights. There was that big heat wave a few years ago.

Is a/c now an essential to boating there given all the recent weather extremes or still an unnecessary one? East coast boats or maybe for Mexico but the PNW non Seattle?

Affects genset sizing too.

We put a self contained unit from Ocean Breeze in 2 seasons ago. There was a location above the pilothouse that was already plumbed for it with water hose already run and an extra thru hull was available in the engine room so made it an easier decision. It's a reverse cycle unit so we can use is as backup heat source if ever needed as well. We only installed register vents on the main level around the pilothouse and galley/salon area. No need in the staterooms below as it stays cooler being closer/under the waterline.

The past couple of years we have used it more and more with the number of 90+ days increasing. Some of that may be that we don't get the best airflow through the boat so even a day only in the 80s can really heat up the main area.

-tozz

[Snapdragon III]

The only time I have wanted it was one time when we were anchored close to shore in Desolation sound and the mosquitoes were really bad, so we didn't want to open the windows, and doors. Had a miserable night, then the next day dug out the bug screens that were stashed in a back corner, and life was much better. I could see it being nice if you spend a lot of time on the boat at the marina. My new boat came with air conditioning which we used in Hawaii. Haven't used it since I got the boat home to Anacortes, and don't expect to. I filled the raw water piping with RV antifreeze to keep it from freezing in the winter, or corroding. I would have to be pretty hot and miserable to use it as doing the antifreeze was a pain in the ass, and it's much easier just to leave it in there.

[ofer]

Originally Posted by Juliet 15

They sell standalone room air-conditioned now. Way less than a whole system, and way less mtx. A few hundred dollars for the good ones. I'd do that. No thru hulls, no pumps, no high power draw, and you can put it away in the winter.

I am thinking to get a couple of these when i start venturing south. not sure why not.

[Snapdragon III]

if nothing else, a stand alone would be a must if you are going to leave your boat unattended in a marina in the tropics for any length of time. Run it off shore power and keep the humidity down in the boat.