Air Conditioner size .... 14K or 16K?

[Bob K]

Hello,
About to place my order for a new AC unit.  Still having trouble deciding size.   Chesapeake Bay area.
What size is your AC?

[Gulfsailor]

I just installed a Mermaid 16k btu over the past week. Should be finished tomorrow.

[WTunnessen]

16K BTU works very well here in the Chesapeake Bay in the summer. But I have wondered if it's oversized. If you are planning on running your AC while on anchor with a portable generator, you might consider using a 14K unit. If you plan to use it mostly at slip on shore power and like to sleep in refrigerator, 16k will deliver.

[Gulfsailor]

I had the same 16k btu on my Ericson I installed 13 years ago. It ran fine on my Honda EU2000 while on the hook.

[Kyle Ewing]

My Webasto 16k BTU cools all cabins in my 1990 on the hottest Chicago summer days.  I use it at Marina's but read it'll run on a Honda 2000 if I add a soft start circuit.

[rmjohns]

I have a 16k unit, though it's an older unit. It does blow pretty cold air. It's adequate in the summers of NC, but I wouldn't say it would freeze you out of the cabin. If the sun is shining on the deck, you can feel the heat radiating from the ceiling when you're down below. I made some deck shades that help dramatically.

Rob.