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bwindrope · 15-10-2018, 21:43

Finally got around to turning the cavernous and uselessly warm "icebox" on our Gulf 32 into a truly good icebox. It could have easily fit a human and shares space with the engine while having virtually no insulation in various critical spots. The result was that two blocks of ice might last a day.

I took the advice of Don Casey and layered many pieces of polyiso together, glassed it all in, and just finished painting it with primekote and bilgekote. Trial run and it held two blocks of ice for four days! Yippee! Lost probably 25% of the volume, but that still leaves plenty. Makes my wife extra happy.

For a few photos you can see my blog: Stories of Aeolus- Our Gulf 32 Pilothouse: Vastly improved icebox!

NYSail · 15-10-2018, 22:49

Congrats..... a Truly worthy project!

Greg

OldManMirage · 16-10-2018, 02:04

This is a project that is also on my list.

Where did you get the insulation ?

bwindrope · 16-10-2018, 07:19

Thanks. It really was super worthwhile. I got the insulation at Home Depot. It was easier to use the 2inch thick pink foam on the lid, and on the roof of the icebox. But the polyiso is more efficient so I layered that everywhere else. It's quite a puzzle really. You have figure out the sequencing so that the layers lock together to prevent air gaps. I used 3-4 layers of 1/2 inch polyiso.

It's physically tough because you have to do a lot of work hanging upside down and sideways, but as hard projects go, I wouldn't put it too high.

And I don't know the upper limit on how long it will now hold ice. Like I said I put in two blocks, and maybe a grocery bag amount of food, and at the end of a four day trip there were still sizable chunks of ice left. I think it will hold cold for 5-6 days if used properly.

We've avoided putting refrigeration on Aeolus because we don't want to deal with the solar panels or other generation. Keep it simple, stupid, is one of my cruising approaches. But a low tech icebox that actually holds ice? Now that works. Our cruising grounds here in the Salish Sea never have us more than a week away from some store, and if we are trying to keep yoghurt or bacon cold we can always fill up on ice.

OldManMirage · 16-10-2018, 07:44

That's great ! I didn't realize it was something I could get locally. Makes it much more likely to get done that way !

**a64pilot** · 16-10-2018, 08:26

You probably already know this, but the larger the block of ice the better, bags of ice aren’t worth a darn.
When I worked outside a lot, I always froze a milk jug or two of water, big reusable chunks of ice that don’t leak water and you can drink from.

Island Time O25 · 16-10-2018, 08:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by a64pilot

You probably already know this, but the larger the block of ice the better, bags of ice aren’t worth a darn.
When I worked outside a lot, I always froze a milk jug or two of water, big reusable chunks of ice that don’t leak water and you can drink from.

+1 on water jugs.

Found it best to freeze 2.5gal spring water jug. I also freeze 1/2 gal juice cartons. Just pour some beforehand to prevent bulging/bursting.

Sailshabby · 16-10-2018, 10:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by bwindrope

Finally got around to turning the cavernous and uselessly warm "icebox" on our Gulf 32 into a truly good icebox. It could have easily fit a human and shares space with the engine while having virtually no insulation in various critical spots. The result was that two blocks of ice might last a day.

I took the advice of Don Casey and layered many pieces of polyiso together, glassed it all in, and just finished painting it with primekote and bilgekote. Trial run and it held two blocks of ice for four days! Yippee! Lost probably 25% of the volume, but that still leaves plenty. Makes my wife extra happy.

For a few photos you can see my blog: Stories of Aeolus- Our Gulf 32 Pilothouse: Vastly improved icebox!

A whole human, or dismembered? Just asking...

Mplight · 16-10-2018, 12:11

Important question.

Mplight · 16-10-2018, 12:13

+2
Have a freezer full of frozen milk containers, they work great. Will be doing the Warm box upgrade after haul out. Thanks for posting!

Shoalcove · 16-10-2018, 12:45

Congratulations! I had a similar icebox on my CL35. It was also next to the engine and did a poor job of keeping things cold.
I did mine over 2 years ago and found a big improvement. I used 2” blue foam and build up a few layers on the bottom and a couple on the sides. I glassed in ply covered in cloth and epoxy on top of the foam for puncture resistance. Rather than paint, I covered with fibreglass shower stall liner cut to size. It’s easy to clean and looks great.
It is a miserable spot to work but a very worthwhile improvement.

Maka · 16-10-2018, 13:55

Excellent idea.
For longer cruising, a girl can get one of those 12V freezers truckers use to make ice, to keep your box cold.
Great idea using containers like plastic bottles to make ice in...keeps ice box dry and containers reusable.