Frigomar brings 12V DC air conditioning to UK boats via Advance Yacht Systems
Rob Cotterill, MD Advance Yacht Systems, introduces Frigomar’s latest DC air con unit at SIBS 2026
Frigomar is extending its variable-speed DC air-conditioning technology into the 12V market and leaning into the wider push by UK distributor Advance Yacht Systems to bring lower-power, quieter air conditioning to more sailing and leisure boats. Advance Yacht Systems is also building its installer network and has helped Frigomar secure trial installations on the Oyster 595.
Speaking to MIN at Southampton International Boat Show, Rob Cotterill, managing director, Advance Yacht Systems, says Frigomar’s new 12V version of its DC air-conditioning range gives smaller boats a way to run air conditioning directly from their battery system rather than relying on AC power.
The units are aimed at cooling a large cabin rather than an entire saloon.
Variable-speed operation
Frigomar launched its 24V and 48V DC air-conditioning models about two years ago. The new 12V units are available from 7,000 to 10,000 BTU. The system uses variable-speed technology, allowing the compressor to reduce its output once the boat has reached the required temperature. That reduces the average current drawn from the boat’s batteries.
“Frigomar is also well known for variable-speed technology. Basically, the air conditioning works from 100 per cent down to a very low level which means, on average, you’re going to have a much lower current draw into the unit from the boat’s batteries,” says Cotterill.
“You’ll save power in general because once your boat’s been brought down to temperature, the units will go at a relatively low speed to keep it cool.”
He says the system also has a noise advantage over air-conditioning systems that operate at full speed or switch off completely.
“You’ll have a silent unit on your boat, which should beat most of the competition who tend to have systems that either work on at full speed, or off at full speed,” with very noisy compressors driving them.
From superyachts to smaller boats
Frigomar is an Italian company based near Genoa with a background in refrigeration and air conditioning for the superyacht market.
Its variable-speed compressors were initially developed for larger water-chiller systems before being scaled down for self-contained units.
The company launched its self-contained AC units about ten years ago, according to Cotterill, so those are now a proven third-gen technology. “It’s much more efficient than what the major manufacturers are bringing out,” he claims.
“The major manufacturers have just managed to catch [Frigomar] up on the AC market. This is DC, which the major manufacturers can’t do at the moment.”
Oyster installation
Advance Yacht Systems has also helped connect Frigomar with Oyster Yachts, with Oyster beginning to pilot Frigomar AC-powered air conditioning on the Oyster 595 (a yacht that was acclaimed in 2021 for breaking company sales’ records).
“The first ones are being installed right now. The next ones will be placed on order in the next month or two.”
Cotterill says Advance Yacht Systems’ existing relationship with Oyster on watermakers helped make the connection.
“We’ve had a long-term relationship with Oyster on the watermaking side. We’ve been talking to them about why a silent air-conditioning unit on an Oyster makes a lot more sense than the noisy ones they have at the moment.
“On a large luxury yacht you want the silence experience.”
UK marine air-con installer network
Advance Yacht Systems is Frigomar’s UK and Ireland distributor and works primarily with the trade.
Cotterill says the company currently works with about 20 registered installers in the UK and is looking to add more.
“We offer very good trade terms and great support to the trade in terms of giving them training to make sure they can install it properly.”
The training is carried out in the UK, although further training is available in Italy.
“But unfortunately it’s such a great and easy unit to install that they [installers] don’t need more training than what we can offer them in the UK.”
Brexit and UK supply
Cotterill says Advance Yacht Systems has adjusted its logistics and supply arrangements since Brexit.
“Before I came on board in 2022 the navigation had been pretty much done. We’ve got a great team. We’ve got some great logistics partners as well.”
He says Brexit can also make buying directly from European suppliers less straightforward for UK customers.
“In some ways it [Brexit] helps us because it means it’s more difficult for end customers to try and to get things on the continent themselves.”
He uses Remoran hydrogenerators as an example (which the company has looked after in the UK since 2023), saying UK customers buying directly through its European web shop have to deal with euros and import duty.
“Whereas we sort that out for you and we’ve got a UK price that’s just as keen. And we’ve got them in stock for tomorrow.”
The company also supplies generators, watermakers, air-conditioning units, hydrogenerators and power-management and power-conversion equipment.
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