Just a follow-up to a previous post I made... I successfully installed A/C in my 2000 268 a week ago and just returned from a "cool" weekend on the lake. Temps hit 98 during the late afternoon but the cabin was a comfy 76.
At the suggestion of jvalich, I purchased a Honda eu2000i portable generator to run the A/C (never stored in the engine compartment!
).
I installed a Mermaid 9,000 BTU unit using the self-install kit. I decided on the 9,000 BTU unit over the 5,200 BTU unit because I have heard that a lot of owners are not satisfied with the factory installed 5,200 unit.
The 9,000 BTU unit required the 2000i gen over the slightly smaller 1000i but the added performance is well worth it.
The install went fairly smooth...with me gritting my teeth as I drilled through the hull of my boat. It took me about 7 hours to complete. I installed the unit in the factory position inside the aft port storage cabinet in the aft-cabin. The most difficult part was snaking the venting to the v-berth. I installed three outlet vents all on the port side. One in the aft-cabin, one between the first and second stairs and one just below the sink facing the v-berth.
Anyone with average mechanical skills and a little patience can install this unit.
If anyone is interested, I will post some photos of the completed project.