Air Conditioning for IP35

I am exploring installation of air conditioning on our IP35. When I purchased the boat 4 years ago it came with a 8000 BTU Cruise and Cool. This is basically a marine air unit packaged in a Samsonite suitcase. It cooled the salon ok, but leaked water onto the cabin sole and had to be directed to cool the V-berth or quarter berth -couldn't do both. Quite a cluggie arrangement. I donated it to a young couple who purchased their first sailboat earlier this summer, 1972 C&C 27. It works great in that smaller cabin. (By the way...that 27 C&C sails great!)

I have considered 2 locations for the unit, both on the port side to gain easy duct access to the V-berth and the port cabin. I have decided on a 16K BTU. One location is under the settee just forward of the chart table. It is deep and long enough, although I would have to cut fiberglass to install the unit. The second location under consideration is behind the settee just forward of the chart table. I think I will have to cut fiberglass to get it into this location as well. Any suggestions in that regard would be much appreciated.

I lieu of installing another through hull for the water intake I am considering tapping into the engine/head pickup located in the engine compartment. Since the AC will never be used when underway I don't see how it would be a problem.

Finally, will I need to install an additional AC panel? The current panel is full.

At this time I am leaning toward a Webasto unit.

Thanks Hayden. Your detailed descriptions and pictures of projects are very well done and always very helpful. Just one question?

From what I can tell the 16,000 BTU reverse cycle pulls 15 amps at full load. From an electrical load perspective I don't know that a separate 30 amp connection would be necessary. In addition, most marinas offer a single 30 amp connection which would require a Y connector/adapter and the max combined load would still be 30 amps. However, I do see how it would simplify the electrical connection. Was that the intent?

Daniel,
FriendShip has two A/C units. A 16,000 BTU unit mounted behind the settee port side just forward of the chart table. The other is located starboard side the most compartment forward under the settee. Both units are of the split system type. The larger of the two has its own power outlet and breaker. So I have two power outlets, but only need two if I want to run both A/C units..The compressors are located in the starboard lazzaret. In any case, watch for the start up amp spike which can be enough to trip the breaker...