Marine Air Conditioning: Cold but Clammy Cabins
The short answer
A cold but clammy cabin may have high moisture entry, unsuitable controls, short cycling or airflow problems. Check the controller’s humidity instructions and record room temperature and humidity together. Raising the thermostat does not automatically lengthen compressor operation or improve dehumidification.
Boat AC: Cold but Clammy Cabins — Requirements and Limitations
Cooling coils remove moisture only when their surface is cold enough for condensation. Short cycles may limit moisture removal, but an oversized unit is only one possible cause. Open hatches, wet gear, leaks and fan behaviour can also affect the result.
Use the normal operating mode specified by the manufacturer. If discomfort persists, ask the technician to assess sensible and latent load, airflow, sensing and drainage rather than guessing at a new capacity or setpoint.
Related Sizing, Installation and Service Guides
Each of these answers a different part of the same problem.
- short cyclingthe fault that causes cold and clammy
- whether yours is oversizedcheck the figure against what is fitted
- why humidity dominates up norththe tropical case in full
- what duty cycle meansthe term behind all of this