Build a Refrigerator

[53hemi]

Well - here's the situation. I live aboard a Grampian 26. Currently I have a small dorm fridge inside which works well, but the only space for it is next to the head. Not real cool. I have the boat set up with a power strip to run only when I'm with shore power, fridge plugs into it and everything is cool. Now, this boat was built with a decent sized icebox in the cockpit, which for me is basically wasted space. When I'm cruising I'm fine with a cooler. So basically, I want to use the guts of the dorm fridge to convert the cockpit icebox to a fridge - even to retain a power cord system. Any advice?

[SaucySailoress]

That's exactly what we did. We took a DOMESTIC fridge and stripped it. But those guts need replacing every now and then, so make sure they're accessible.

It's a great idea - we love ours - It fits the space perfectly. And when the guts stop working, we can use ice blocks instead anyway, and it's so well insulated it'll last for days.

By the way, we also made a little ice compartment - it's so good it'll freeze up to 6 2litre bottles filled with water (only when plugged into shore, mind); so we have ice for dive boat too!

[Sailmonkey]

It's doable, you might be able to extract the guts of the dorm fridge without releasing the freon, but if you do it'll cost you more than just buying a small icebox conversion kit.