Meet our sponsors · Marine air conditioning
SeaAir marine air conditioning for the cabin you want to sleep in
Air conditioning on a boat listing can mean very different things. Did the owner run it only in a powered berth, or could they cool a cabin at anchor? SeaAir makes marine heating and air conditioning for suitable DC battery installations. If you're buying a yacht for summer nights away, that distinction is worth exploring during the inspection.
Look behind the cabin vent
Start with the sleeping space that gets warm. Note its dimensions, the route available for ducting and whether air can return when the cabin door is shut. Photograph possible equipment locations and access panels. For a buyer considering a retrofit, those photographs help SeaAir discuss an installation that can be reached for service after the cushions and joinery go back in.
The house bank belongs in the conversation
SeaAir offers different operating modes and an amp-hour limit. The allowance appeals to us because a skipper can reserve capacity for the fridge, overnight lights and morning instruments. It doesn't answer the whole buying question, though. Find out the house voltage, usable bank capacity and normal charging arrangements, then ask what current draw to expect at the output you need.
On a sea trial, pay attention to where the cold air goes and what you can hear from the pillow. If you're comparing an equipped boat with one that needs cooling, ask SeaAir for a recommendation based on that berth and your cruising routine. Then compare the boats with the likely installation included in the numbers.
