One of the great advantages of sailing is sensing in-depth some of the elements of nature, which are wind, and water. From that point of view, climate control is somehow opposite to sailor’s art. However, we humans are looking for practical ways to provide ourselves some comfort, especially when traveling aboard a sailboat. So, if you’re a beginner (or even if you’re not), it is somehow difficult to make the transition from the landlubber life to tropical climates. Therefore, the idea of air-conditioning, despite its huge power demands can be appealing. So, let’s see what it is like to have air conditioning on your sailboat, as well as some of the best sailboat air conditioners.

General Information on Air Conditioning

Nowadays air-conditioners are manufactured way lighter and power-efficient than they were ten years ago. However, buying an AC Unit for your sailboat might be an expensive purchase, and sometimes regarded as high-end items on most sailboats. The cost of a professional installation on a 35′ feet sailboat can be as much as putting in new sails. Whenever you are investing that much money on a piece of gear, one question comes to your mind. How long will it last? However, they are important in terms of ensuring an enjoyable sailing experience. With a dependable air conditioner, your boat will be cool, comfy, and air will circulate in it, which is essential in order to prevent mold.

In general, when you’re sailing during the summer season then this means that you’ll have to deal with different kinds of temperatures. For example, in the north, it might have 95 degrees Fahrenheit and humidity that’s close to 90%. Everything is possible when you sail in extreme climates. Moreover, some days might get really cold at night or during winter, thus you have many reasons to have a solid sailboat air conditioner installed on your boat. Last but not least, keep in mind that portable air-conditioning units cost less than fixed units.

Things to Consider when Buying a Marine Air Conditioner

• Avoid models with a single-hose: They draw cooling air only from the inside, thus they exhaust hot air out through a duct. The air within the boat is usually warmer and more humid than the outside air. Therefore, this can reduce cooling efficiency by as much as 50 percent.
• Cooling Distribution: The distribution of the air within the cabin can be aided by fans, but it will always be unbalanced. However, with air being installed, vents can take the air wherever you want it. It is important that the area of the supply vent inlets is distributed within a recommended range. If a vent is too small then there will be no efficiency. But, if the inlet area is too big, the flow of the cooler air is going to minimize.
• Size of AC Units: Nowadays manufacturers design modern Air Conditioners with the aim of providing easier installation, set up and lightweight products. The right AC Unit means the one that can efficiently cool or warm the entire boat without struggling. Keep in mind that the larger your sailboat, the more powerful the air conditioner system will need. You might also need some space for an engine room if you choose a split air conditioning unit.
• Noise: A permanently installed air conditioner runs on seawater instead of air cooling, thus reducing the noisy cooling air fan required of all portable units. Most of the AC Units are noisy, so before buying or installing a new AC, always think about this feature.
• Maintenance: The portable AC units only require an annual air filter cleaning. However, a permanent, central air conditioner requires raw water strainer cleaning, every 8 to 100 hours, depending on the amount of seagrass in the water. These units also need an external strainer that has to be checked for blockages, especially in high fouling areas.
• Power Requirement: Now, let’s see an example. The AC portable Unit Pompanette 6,000 BTU draws 17 amps to start and 6.9 amps running. The Dometic Turbo 10,000 BTU draws 14.5 amps in order to start and 6.7 amps running. Obviously, the Dometic unit is the most efficient, which means lower power bills, but also reduced complexity when installing. Generally speaking, your sailboat must have powerful battery banks and inverter, as well as an efficient source of energy like a boat generator or a solar panel.
• Your Plans and Budget: Weather conditions generally affect the way that your AC unit is working. In case you are sailing in hot climates then the unit will work a lot harder. So, the sailing ground you’re traveling to and its weather condition will determine the appropriate British Thermal Unit that you need. As mentioned before, sailboat air conditioners can be costly, so calculate how much you can afford, according to your budget.

Best Marine Sailboat Air Conditioners

1. MarinAire 16000 BTU: Constructed with lightweight materials it’s undoubtedly a top-quality sailboat AC Unit, designed with built-in pressure gauges. Moreover, it has a D-Smart control system, with a 360-degrees blower outlet, start-up current, and low energy consumption. All these features make it the almost perfect choice for anyone. Buy from Amazon.
2. Dometic Turbo DTU 10 10,000 BTU: This unit is quiet and efficient. Moreover, its very low power draw is a big plus and allows to stay at marinas with modest power supplies. However, its installation might be complicated but you can either do it on your own, either hire a professional. Options on Amazon.
3. WeBasto AC Retrofit Unit: This AC consumes approximately an average of about 8.5 amps at 115 volts, and it is quite affordable with an easy setup and installation. Its compressor is very quiet and doesn’t generate any irritating noise. Link to Amazon.
4. Pompanette 6000: This unit has an integral insulated compressor shield and it is designed with a uni-body construction. Furthermore, it has a small size and it’s quite affordable. It can never rust and it doesn’t accumulate condensed water or bacteria.
5. MarinAIre 11000 BTU: This eco-friendly AC Unit is definitely a reliable solution. It does everything automatically and comes with excellent low and high-pressure gauges. This feature ensures that it operates efficiently in all climates.

Air Conditioning on a Sailboat – Final Thoughts

I know that nothing is more comfortable than having a reliable air-conditioner on your sailboat, in order to adjust yourself to climate’s alterations. Therefore, this investment, though sometimes can be costly, can satisfy your needs for a long-term period, while traveling overseas. Moreover, a sailboat air conditioner will adjust the humidity level, temperature, and airflow in your sailboat. Nowadays, there are a lot of sailboat air conditioners on the market. To sum up, air-conditioning is necessary for some people while for others is just a commodity. Keep in mind to check the market, calculate your budget, your sailing plans, and all the above-mentioned details of your preferred AC Unit, before making your purchase.