Thinking about installing an AC on your yacht? If you have several cabins and a living area on board, but you do not manage the climate properly, it might be a very heavy burden on your power resources. What might help prevent this, is something called 'zoning'. Although this can be a very expensive solution, there is a nice open source project that will allow you to install such a system for about 10% of the cost of a 'professional' system. If you have the skills of course...
"The existing zoning systems were built by companies that have been on the market for a long time, have established operating procedures, trained personnel, quite possibly they have grown beyond the ability to change. They do stuff a certain way "just because we always did it this way". They completely ignore the progress in the embedded systems and still rely on low integration specialized chips to manufacture their controllers, and miss the opportunity to utilize the power that embedded microprosessor based systems offer."
Over at Nautical Web, a do-it-yourself-guide for the installation of an air-conditioning system. Even if you do not plan to do it yourself, this article can be very interesting since it offers good background information if you're relatively new to this field.
"The most interesting thing, which is the good news of recent years, is that the 'small' systems are quite easy to install and reasonably inexpensive. Considering the advantages of the air-conditioning on a boat, the installation of an air-conditioning system is quite simple and anybody with a bit of "do it yourself" experience and a with few, non specific tools, will be capable of a successful installation of a compact system."
Some tips (pdf) that might save you a lot of money and hassle if your boat is fully equiped with electrical instruments, displays, compasses, etc...
"If the weather this time of the year is cold enough for you to give up sailing for a few months and curl up in a warm place, there�s a good chance that the electronic equipment on your boat would appreciate a little of the same treatment. A little extra care when the weather is cold can add considerably to the useful life of most electronics."
Further to the discussion on how to create enough power resources for all electric appliances on board, Ocean Navigator has another article, elaborating (subscription required) in more depth on how to acquire the necessary energy.
"An onboard supply of 120-volt alternating current used to be a luxury available only on large boats. Today, technology allows us to enjoy the benefit of AC power on a boat as small as a canoe, provided we understand and respect some simple facts about available sources of energy and the conversion of energy from one form to another."
Charging these batteries will possibly require a genset. Choosing and installing one for a relatively small ship should be a careful process.
"The time had come to replace the Mase 8.0 genset that had served well for more than 12 years. As in the past when the Mase 8.0 was selected, the priorities were to find a unit that would fit in the available space, ensure that it would be at least as quiet as the Mase had been, and select a unit that would produce an adequate amount of electrical energy. The priority order reflects prior experience. Regardless of what else a genset may be able to do, if it is not quiet, it does not belong on the boat."
In order for all gadgets and electrical necessities on board to have access to sufficient power resources, batteries are crucial. Ocean Navigator's January/February 2004 issues has a lengthy article on this topic.
"For the purposes of the average voyager, the quest for reliable, powerful and affordable deep-cycle house and start batteries takes precedence over all other battery interests. Even this considerably narrower category presents a dizzying prospect for the would-be battery purchaser. Available configurations run the gamut from flooded to gel and absorbed glass mat (AGM), from 6-volt traction to dedicated 12-volt marine. How is a cruiser to know what is appropriate for his or her needs?"
Having a lot of (expensive) electronics on board can be be very risky in case lightning strikes. This article tries to depict the different aspects of this, but also has to conclude that the science of lightning protection is still evolving.
"You may, at this point, be interested in a Lightning Protection System (LPS). But it�s a misnomer, as there is no proven way to actually protect a boat from lightning, only a technique for limiting damage when it strikes. Actually, there is a widely held myth, particularly among sailors, that an LPS�which is primarily a straight, highly conductive path from mast to water�causes more harm by attracting lightning than it does good."
LED is 'revolutionizing' lighting, and some clever applications can be expected for boating purposes as well.
"While the lens is susceptible to scratching and the light does leak a bit out the edges, the Red LED LightWedge is nonetheless an effective and elegant chart light (and at anchor you can use it to read without annoying a snoozing bunk mate)."
Review of a new autopilot from Nautamatic. It has some innovative features, probably appealing to many boat-owners.
"A rudder sensor is an electro-mechanical device stuck in a remote, unfriendly area of a boat. It's a pain to install and subject to comparatively high failure rates, so not having one is definitely a good thing. But how does the TR-1 work without it? That's the subject of speculation and skepticism among other autopilot manufacturers."
Sailing World is running an article on how wires are being obsoleted by some interesting wireless technology developments. This could save cost and improve sailing performance at the same time.
"Is it far-fetched fantasy? Nope, we're talking here and now. With advances in wireless technology driven by worldwide market demand, racers can either equip their boat with a complete wireless system or upgrade existing instrument systems for wireless data retrieval and display. Wireless technology will allow racers to shave weight all over the boat. There may even be cost savings in boat construction, as boatbuilders will no longer have to spend precious time leading wires."
Thinking about installing an AC on your yacht? If you have several cabins and a living area on board, but you do not manage the climate properly, it might be a very heavy burden on your power resources. What might help prevent this, is something called 'zoning'. Although this can be a very expensive solution, there is a nice open source project that will allow you to install such a system for about 10% of the cost of a 'professional' system. If you have the skills of course...
Over at Nautical Web, a do-it-yourself-guide for the installation of an air-conditioning system. Even if you do not plan to do it yourself, this 
LED is 
"Is it far-fetched fantasy? Nope, we're talking here and now. With advances in wireless technology driven by worldwide market demand, racers can either equip their boat with a complete wireless system or upgrade existing instrument systems for wireless data retrieval and display. Wireless technology will allow racers to shave weight all over the boat. There may even be cost savings in boat construction, as boatbuilders will no longer have to spend precious time leading wires."