Adding Insulation To a Built In Icebox

[captain465]

OK, I have to bite the bullet, and add insulation to a built in icebox. The boat is a 1985 Irwin 38ft center cockpit. It has 2 iceboxes. One box is being used as a "pantry" for dry storage. The other icebox was converted to a refrigerator, (Frigoboat, with the keel cooler). It worked well up north, in the Hudson River, but now it seems that, with the higher ambient temperatures,in Florida and the Bahamas, it can no longer keep up.
The question is, has anyone added insulation by using the sprray in insulation in a can, that can be purchased at hardware stores? (Yes, I know that there are different types with different expansion rates)
If you have done this upgrade, how exactly did you go about the process?
Please, real experience replies only.....

[djmarchand]

I assume that you are talking about spraying foam insulation to the outside of the box. That will work, but these foams have less insulating value than foam panels. Polyisocyanurate panels have the best insualting value per inch. So if you can fit panels in around the box, that is a better solution.

I have also used the isocyanurate panels inside the box. It does take up an inch or so of interior room, but that wasn't all bad. I left the foil side in, so the panel got some protection. A better approach would be to fit thin laminate sheets over the foam panel and caulk the edges. This takes some real joiner work skills to make it look decent.

David

[Matt Johnson]

I did just this, but used higher quality two part foam. I have it listed under projects on my site.

Mjsailing.com