by Susan Shinn – Special Coorespondent
After a summer full of heat and humidity, it’s no wonder more boat owners are choosing to install air conditioning on their vessels.
At one time, marine air condition was thought to be for yachts only.
No more, says David Wehunt, owner of Southeastern Marine of the Carolinas. Based in Georgetown, the business is a stocking dealer, providing sales and service for boats from Charleston up to Myrtle Beach, Wilmington and Morehead City.
David works with an assistant, while his wife, Hope Langley -Wehunt, handles calls, orders parts and takes care of billing. The company sells and installs Cruisair, Marine Air and Pompanette Air systems.
Marine air conditioning units are about a third the size of their residential counterparts, David explains. “They’re water-cooled instead of air-cooled. You have to keep them flushed regularly, especially if you’re in salt water.”
You must also keep the strainer clean, and check the air filter about every three months – more frequently if you keep pets on your boat.
David says he installs units on boats as small as 22 feet.
“Anything that has a cabin or canvas can be air conditioned,” he says. “They’ve got units that are small, compact and efficient. You can put them in smaller boats. David explains, “We recently did a custom install on a 23ft Bayliner cabin cruiser, the customer loves it, they are able to use it all year long and be comfortable. It also increases the resell value as well.”
The basic principle of an air conditioner is the movement of heat. In a marine, direct expansion (DX) seawater-cooled air conditioner, heat is transferred from the cabin air to the refrigerant gas, which then releases the heat into the seawater. In reverse cycle heating (heat pump), the refrigerant flow is reversed and heat is extracted from the seawater and discharged into the cabin.
Part of the cooling process, in addition to lowering the air temperature, is the removal of moisture from the air. This lowers the humidity, making the area feel more comfortable and helping to keep the boat dry, reducing mold growth and other moisture related problems.
There are three basic types of systems: self-contained units, remote (split gas) systems, and Tempered Water Systems. In selecting the type of system for your boat, many factors must be considered, including: size and layout of boat, required capacity, access for routing necessary tubing/wiring/hoses, location of furnishings, and the storage space you are willing to sacrifice. And of course, cost.
Self-contained units are typically the best choice for smaller boats, up to about 40 feet, due to the lower cost of the units and installation. A self-contained air conditioner has all of the major components mounted on a single chassis, which is installed in the living area, usually under a bunk or settee, locker and canvas area. Cooling only models, as well as reverse-cycle heat pump units, are available. A single unit can cool each cabin, or can be ducted to 2 or more cabins to save space and cost.
David says he has noticed a trend of more boats having air conditioning.
“Absolutely, down here especially in the South,” he says. “If you plan to use your cabin, you have to have air conditioning. You’ll melt.”
Southeastern Marine recently installed two units in a Sea Ray Sun Dancer 410, in the boat’s canvas area. “He loves the performance and the fact that it looks like a factory install.”
Along with custom air conditioning installation,Southeastern Marine sells and services generators and offers electrical, mechanical and plumbing services for boats.
David is an ABYC certified marine electrician, factory trained on Cruisair, Marine Air and Pompanette Air systems. He is also factory trained Mercury/Mercruiser and Yamaha.
While Wilmington/Myrtle Beach/Charleston is his flagship area, David travels a large geographic area, even making sales for Charlotte clients who have boats on lakes Norman and Wylie.