When you’ve just had work done on your boat’s air conditioning system, it’s crucial to ensure the service was done right. This [boat air conditioning service checklist] helps yacht owners verify completed repairs, avoid substandard workmanship, and prevent recurring breakdowns. With these steps, you’ll document what’s correct, spot red flags, and know how to act if defects show up.

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Why Use a Boat Air Conditioning Service Checklist?

Marine AC systems face harsh conditions: saltwater corrosion, vibration, and complex plumbing. Even small mistakes during repair or installation can cause leaks, poor cooling, or electrical issues within days. Most owners don’t realize how quickly problems appear after poor-quality service. This checklist arms you to inspect specialist work confidently and avoid redoing repairs within a week.

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Key Inspection Steps

1. Raw Water System Check

• Confirm seacock is fully open and serviceable.
• Inspect the seawater strainer basket for debris or marine growth. A dirty strainer restricts cooling water flow.
• Verify all hose fittings are double-clamped with marine-grade clamps and show no leaks.
• Check routing: hoses should slope gently with no air pockets or sharp bends that reduce flow.
• When running the AC, observe a strong, steady overboard discharge. Weak or intermittent stream signals pump or blockage issues.

2. Airflow and Filters Inspection

• Ensure return air filters on the blower assembly or return grilles are present and clean.
• Inspect supply and return air grilles for correct placement and secure fit. Poorly installed grilles can reduce efficiency and cause compressor stress.
• Check for duct damage or sharp bends that could restrict airflow.
• When running, feel for strong, even airflow from all supply outlets.

3. Condensate Drain Test

• Pour water into the condensate pan and verify it drains completely within 30 seconds.
• Trace condensate drain lines to ensure no blockage or leaks and confirm they discharge overboard or to a sealed sump—not into the bilge.
• Inspect the drain pan for corrosion or cracks.

4. Electrical and Control Checks

• Verify breaker size matches the AC unit’s rating on the data plate.
• Inspect wiring for proper connections, heat shrink, and strain relief, especially near bilge or damp areas.
• Confirm grounding and bonding meet marine electrical standards.
• Test controller operation—set temperature, run the system, and observe stable compressor cycling without fault codes.

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Recognizing Red Flags

• Weak or no overboard discharge flow during system operation.
• Excessive electrical wiring splices, missing grounding, or undersized breakers.
• Condensate drains routed into the bilge or slow drainage times exceeding 30 seconds.
• Missing or dirty return air filters, kinked ducting, or supply grilles positioned poorly.
• Rapid compressor cycling or error codes during operation.

If any of these appear during your inspection, demand corrections before accepting the repair work.

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Action Protocol for Defects

• Immediately shut off the AC and close the related seacock if leaks, electrical faults, or flow problems are found.
• Document all issues with photos and notes including time stamps.
• Contact your service technician or marina for repair under warranty or service agreement.
• Avoid running or patching the system yourself to prevent warranty voidance or further damage.
• Follow up until the issues are fully resolved.

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Maintenance Tips to Avoid Frequent Service Calls

• Clean return air filters monthly during the season.
• Inspect and clean seawater strainers monthly to prevent clogging.
• Flush seawater lines and clean coils quarterly or per manufacturer recommendations.
• Run your system periodically in heating mode during off-season to exercise valves and prevent corrosion.
• Keep detailed logs of service dates, repairs, and inspections.

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Summary Table: Inspection Checklist Overview

Inspection Area	What to Check	Signs of Proper Work	Red Flags
Raw Water Circuit	Seacock, strainer, hose clamps	Strong, steady discharge; clean strainer	Weak or no water flow, leaks
Air Filtration & Airflow	Filters, grilles, duct routing	Clean filters; good air distribution	Dirty/missing filters; restricted airflow
Condensate Drain	Drainage speed & path	Drains overboard; quick drainage	Slow drainage; pan corrosion
Electrical & Controls	Wiring, breaker sizing, grounding	Correct breaker; neat wiring	Undersized breakers; poor connections

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Using this [boat air conditioning service checklist] reduces surprises, saves money, and extends your AC system’s life on your yacht.