When a yacht is hauled out, its seawater cooling systems stop working. That means no onboard AC, no refrigeration, and no way to keep things running like they do in the water. This is where water cooling tower rentals step in.
We set up temporary cooling towers at the yard so your boat stays fully powered and comfortable during repairs or refits. Boatyards count on them to keep projects moving without interruptions, and captains like knowing the crew won’t be sweating it out onboard. It’s a simple, reliable solution that keeps your systems running while the boat is on land.
What is a Water Cooler Tower & How is it Used on Yachts?
A cooling tower is basically a big heat exchanger. Instead of your yacht pulling in seawater to cool its systems, the tower takes on that job while the boat’s out of the water.
Warm water from the yacht runs through the tower, where it’s cooled down by air and a bit of evaporation, then sent back into the system at a lower temperature. That steady flow of cooled water keeps air conditioning, refrigeration, and other onboard systems working as if you were still afloat. In short, it’s a stand-in for the ocean when your boat’s on land.
How Does a Cooling Tower Work?
Cooling towers do one simple but powerful job: they cool down warm water so your yacht’s systems keep running smoothly on land. Here’s how it all comes together.
Circulating the Warm Water
Your yacht’s AC and refrigeration systems send heated water out to the cooling tower. Instead of being dumped overboard like at sea, this water gets routed into the tower.
Air and Water Meet
Inside the tower, the warm water is sprayed over special surfaces called “fill.” At the same time, fans pull air through the tower. When air and water mix, a small portion of the water evaporates, which pulls heat out of the rest of the water.
Sending Cooled Water Back
The freshly cooled water collects at the bottom of the tower and is pumped back to your yacht. That loop keeps repeating, giving your onboard systems a steady supply of cool water.
Why It Works So Well
The trick is evaporation. It takes a lot of energy for water to turn into vapor, and that energy comes from the heat in your system water. This simple process makes cooling towers efficient and reliable, even during long boatyard stays!
What Does a Cooling Tower Do?
A cooling tower takes the place of the ocean while your yacht is hauled out. It gives your boat the cooling water it needs to keep systems running without interruption. Here’s what that means in practice:
1. Keeps AC and Refrigeration Running
Your yacht’s air conditioning, refrigeration, and chillers depend on cool water. The tower makes sure those systems stay online so the crew and equipment remain comfortable.
2. Protects Sensitive Equipment
Electronics, engines, and pumps don’t like excess heat. By controlling water temperature, the cooling tower prevents overheating and extends the life of your systems.
3. Supports Long Projects
When a refit or repair drags on, the tower keeps the boat livable. Crews can stay aboard, and systems can be tested as if the vessel were still in the water.
4. Provides Reliable Backup
If a primary cooling method fails during maintenance, the tower steps in as a steady, dependable solution. That means less downtime and no unexpected project delays.
What Is the Function of a Cooling Tower?
The function of a cooling tower is simple: remove heat so your yacht’s systems keep working. Here’s how that breaks down.
Heat Removal
The tower takes hot water from your boat’s AC or refrigeration systems, strips out the heat through evaporation, and returns it cooled.
Temperature Control
By keeping water at the right temperature, the tower ensures onboard systems operate in their safe, efficient range.
System Protection
Consistent cooling prevents damage to compressors, pumps, and electronics that would otherwise overheat while the yacht is on land.
Continuous Operation
Even during extended yard time, the tower keeps things running as though your boat were still in the water. That means no interruptions to comfort or equipment testing.
How Does a Chiller Work with a Cooling Tower?
Your yacht’s chiller and the cooling tower work as a team. The chiller cools the air inside the boat, but it needs help getting rid of the heat it collects. That’s where the cooling tower steps in.
The Chiller’s Job
The chiller pulls heat out of your yacht’s air and systems. It transfers that heat into water, which then has to be cooled down before it can be reused.
The Cooling Tower’s Job
The warm condenser water from the chiller flows into the cooling tower. There, it’s cooled by air and evaporation before being pumped back to the chiller.
The Cycle in Action
The chiller and cooling tower create a closed loop. The chiller handles the onboard cooling. The tower handles heat rejection. Together, they keep temperatures stable without relying on seawater.
Why It Matters in the Yard
When your yacht is hauled out, there’s no seawater flow for the chiller. The cooling tower fills that gap, making sure your AC and refrigeration keep running like normal during maintenance or refits.
How to Clean a Cooling Tower
Keeping a cooling tower clean is critical for performance and safety. Salt, scale, and biological growth can clog it up fast, especially in marine environments. Here’s how the process works.
- Shut Down and Prep: Turn off the system, isolate it from the yacht, and drain the tower. Follow safety procedures before starting any cleaning.
- Disinfect First: A chlorine solution is run through the system to kill bacteria, algae, and biofilm. This step is important for preventing health risks like Legionella.
- Remove Debris and Scale: Once disinfected, the basin and fill are cleaned. High-pressure water, brushes, and mild cleaners remove sediment, salt buildup, and scale. Nozzles and drift eliminators are inspected and scrubbed to keep water flowing evenly.
- Flush and Refill: The system is rinsed multiple times to remove chemicals and loosened debris. Then it’s refilled with clean water and treated with corrosion and scale inhibitors.
- Inspect and Test: Fans, pumps, and distribution systems are checked before restarting. A performance test confirms the tower is cooling properly and ready to support your yacht again.
For longer term rentals, we often drop off Bromine tabs (like those used in pools or hot tubs) so that the towers stay clean.
Cooling towers make it possible to keep your yacht comfortable and operational even when it’s out of the water. They handle the heat, protect sensitive equipment, and keep projects on schedule for both captains and boatyards. With proper setup and maintenance, they’re a reliable stand-in for seawater cooling and a must-have during extended yard time.
Ready to keep your yacht running cool during its next haul-out? Contact Coastal Air Systems Marine today to reserve a cooling tower rental.