Boat AC Not Cooling?
We Fix It Same-Day.

The most common cause in Southwest Florida is calcium scale buildup inside the condenser heat exchanger. SWFL's warm saltwater (80-87°F) accelerates mineral deposits that restrict water flow. Other causes: clogged raw water strainer, worn seawater pump impeller, low refrigerant from a leak, failed compressor, or faulty thermostat. A professional descaling flush resolves 70%+ of 'not cooling' complaints same-day.

It depends on the root cause. A descaling flush runs $200-400 and fixes most cases. Impeller replacement is $150-300. Refrigerant leak repair and recharge is $400-800. Compressor replacement is $1,500-3,500 depending on the unit size and brand. We always diagnose first and give you a written estimate before starting any repair. Call 239-323-9600 for a free phone consultation.

Scale buildup is cumulative. In SWFL's warm, mineral-rich saltwater, 12 months of operation deposits enough calcium to reduce condenser efficiency by 30-50%. Systems that sat idle over winter are worse — stagnant saltwater accelerates corrosion and scale hardening. An annual descaling flush before summer prevents this completely.

You can do a basic vinegar flush, but it's only about 20% as effective as professional descaling. Professional-grade descaling solutions (like Accumar Descaling Solution) are formulated specifically for marine heat exchangers and dissolve calcium carbonate 5x faster than household vinegar. We also inspect the impeller, strainer, and refrigerant charge during the service — issues a DIY flush won't catch.

In Southwest Florida: every 12 months minimum. Liveaboards running AC 10-12 months/year should flush every 6-8 months. Boats in canals with hard water may need more frequent service. The cost of an annual flush ($200-400) is a fraction of the $2,000-3,500 compressor replacement that neglected scale buildup causes.

This is classic high-pressure lockout. The compressor runs until head pressure exceeds the safety limit, then the high-pressure switch shuts it down. After it cools, it restarts — and the cycle repeats. The root cause is almost always restricted water flow: scale in the condenser, worn impeller, clogged strainer, or partially blocked thru-hull. Left unchecked, the repeated thermal cycling destroys the compressor.

General rule: if the compressor is good and the unit is less than 15 years old, repair is usually more cost-effective. If the compressor has failed on a unit older than 12-15 years, replacement often makes more sense — newer units are 20-30% more efficient and quieter. We'll give you an honest assessment. We don't push replacements when a $300 repair will get you 5+ more years.

Yes — for most common issues (flush, impeller, strainer, thermostat), we can often diagnose and repair same-day. We carry common parts on our service vehicle. For compressor replacements or major repairs, we typically need 1-3 days for parts. Call 239-323-9600 — we'll tell you upfront what to expect.