Question:
This summer has convinced me!
I need to add air conditioning to my 1991 Doral Prestancia 270MC.
Has anyone done this on their own by adapting a commercial window
unit? Has anyone found an economical way to cool the aft cabin in this
model?
Answer:
I also have a Doral, a 1989 Monticello. I had a marine air conditioner
installed by Bayfield Marine Service, Bayfield Ontario.
It is a 5000 BTU unit and it has two vent tubes. One to cool the Aft Cabin
and the other for the main cabin and the V-berth area. It works great and
the generator can run it along with all the other applianaces and the boat.
It fits under the seat of the dinette, (at the stern end of it) and the
return air vent is located under the seat ( in the middle).
The cool vent for the aft cabin goes from the cooling unit to the aft via
the cooling tube which goes from under the seat, over the hot water heater
cabinet then through the bulkhead into the aft. The main cabin cool vent
goes from the coolint unit , through the under seat storage then into the
main cabin through a vent cut into the side of the seat towards the bow.
Sounds complicated but it is not. Very simple and not too much money spent.
A big plus is that it is quiet.
