www.iFourWinns.com

I want to install air conditioning on my 1997 278 Vista. It came factory with a Kohler generator but no a/c (whoever ordered the boat, I'd like to smack). lol.

Anyway, a while back ric was here talking about a 6000 btu compact unit he installed into his boat at the time. I believe this was it:
http://www.marinaire.com/Marine-air-con ... sba6k2.htm

I have a few questions.

1.) Is 6000 BTU's to cool the cabin of a 278 Vista? I live in southeast Michigan.
2.) 5.7amps running and 110/120v? I wont need another shorepower input then? I do have a factory spot (blank) on my AC panel for a/c.
3.) Can I tie in to the seacock that feeds my toilet or do I have to install a new seacock JUST for the a/c? I dont use lake water to flush the toilet anyways, I use fresh water from the sink.

I plan on doing this myself so any suggestions or advice is really appreciated. Thanks!!

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1997 Four Winns Vista 278
T - 4.3l EFI
Kohler 4esz Genset
379 hours as of 8/8/21

I have a 1996 278V this is how mine is set up
First off I would always go with the most BTUs you can go with
Second my boat has 2 shorepower outlets one for power and one for just the A/C
Third you will need to have a separate seacock just for the A/C to make sure you get constant water flow
Also consider where all the vents go. I have one above the dinette, one in the aft cabin and one in the forward berth.

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1996 278 Vista Dlx Twin 5.0
1999 Sea Ray 215 ex cruiser (sold)
1989 Seaswirl (sold)

While it is not your exact boat, you might check out the AC install on www.boat-project.com. This install is on a '99 268. The write up is very thorough and addresses technical aspects and some issues he encountered. Look in "Boat Projects" and then "Mechanical Boat Projects". You might find several other projects of interest.

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Surface Interval: A scuba diving term for that time between dives to relax and prepare for life's next great adventure.

Current boat: '02 FW 268 Vista
Previous boat: '95 FW 190 Horizon

One of the biggest problems is air flow. Not enough in and your a/c unit will be freezing up.
Do you have a shower sump? The a/c drain pan needs to drain to this.

Yeah, I have a shower sump and planned on connecting the condensate line to it.

I am going to wait to do the install until the fall or over the winter. Im excited about it, and will be checking back in!

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1997 Four Winns Vista 278
T - 4.3l EFI
Kohler 4esz Genset
379 hours as of 8/8/21