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Ray
Joined: 13 Dec 2011 Posts: 271 City/Region: Pamlico River
State or Province: NC
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Seaweed
Photos: Seaweed
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Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 11:18 am Post subject: PROJECT-A-PALOOZA!!! -- Cooler drawer |
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We had the standard Norcold install under the co-pilot seat. It was loud and inefficient when compared to the Engel cooler from our other boat. I decided to take out the Norcold and make a slider to hold the Engel in the same place.
After removing the Norcold fridge, I put in some "pantry slides" that go underneath, instead of alongside, the drawer. These are 22" versions and were rated at 75lbs.
Here are the mating parts to the slides on the bottom of the drawer. They have a snap-in/out mechanism that make removal and installation really easy!
When I measured the width of the opening and the width of the cooler, there were some spare inches left over. Not wanting any available space to go to waste, I made some shelves alongside to store cans for the cooler (one-out, one-in)! This is the drawer painted and almost finished.
Here is the installed drawer with the trim installed. The pantry slides have a detent in the closed position, but it is not very strong. Because I had it lying around, I used a barrel bolt to secure it closed - I will likely change that at some point and make it something less "rustic".
The AC and DC cords are looped and suspended up high to allow for full travel of the cooler drawer. I had to remove the lifting handle of the Engel to get a snug fit (not too pretty).
Ready for action! The fully extended slides stop right at about 1/2" from the opposite side (whew! .....yes, I measured it that way) and allow full access to the cooler. I had previously move the lid hinges to the long side from the way the cooler came from Engel. I am not sure if this is the current production arrangement or not.
Time to get in the water! |
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lloyds
Joined: 02 Aug 2005 Posts: 1724 City/Region: sublimity
State or Province: OR
C-Dory Year: 1996
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: undecided
Photos: 1996 22 Cruiser (Lloyds)
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Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 11:33 am Post subject: |
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That looks great. What size is the engle? |
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thataway
Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 20808 City/Region: Pensacola
State or Province: FL
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: thataway
Photos: Thataway
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Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 12:09 pm Post subject: ! |
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Great job! I like the extra soda can holders. Did you cut a couple round holes in the outboard area of the dinette seat for heat release from the compressor?
I like the top loading much better, and it can be a freezer when you want. _________________ Bob Austin
Thataway
Thataway (Ex Seaweed) 2007 25 C Dory May 2018 to Oct. 2021
Thisaway 2006 22' CDory November 2011 to May 2018
Caracal 18 140 Suzuki 2007 to present
Thataway TomCat 255 150 Suzukis June 2006 thru August 2011
C Pelican; 1992, 22 Cruiser, 2002 thru 2006
Frequent Sea; 2003 C D 25, 2007 thru 2009
KA6PKB
Home port: Pensacola FL |
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Pat Anderson
Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 8553 City/Region: Birch Bay, WA
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2005
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Daydream
Photos: Daydream and Crabby Lou
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Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 12:53 pm Post subject: |
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Well done! Can you share where you bought the pantry slides and what brand they are? There seem to be a gazillion available ranging from very cheap ($30) to seemingly very expensive (over $200). We need those for our under-galley storage, since we have a custom flat floor there that Andrew Custis had the Auburn C-Dory guys build for Daydream and Anna Leigh. I just pulled the Rev-a-Shelf slide-out baskets because the vinyl was peeling off the racks and the slides were getting rusty. This sure looks like the solution for that area.
Also what capacity is your Engle? We are looking at pulling our 2005 vintage Norcold power hog if (it runs all night, it nearly depletes the house batteries), which is mounted under the helm seat, and replacing it with the ARB 50 quart. Have some measuring to do of course. The ARB could also live in the cockpit. But if it fits in the same space, putting it where the Norcold is right now on a slide-out sure seems to be the way to go.
Thanks! _________________
DAYDREAM - CD25 Cruiser
CRABBY LOU - CD16 Angler (sold 2020)
Pat & Patty Anderson, C-Brat #62!
http://daydreamsloop.blogspot.com
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Ray
Joined: 13 Dec 2011 Posts: 271 City/Region: Pamlico River
State or Province: NC
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Seaweed
Photos: Seaweed
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Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 1:36 pm Post subject: |
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OOPS! Forgot to include the vents in the photos. Here they are. Used two four inch circular vents at the back where the coils are on the cooler when it is closed up. I put one facing forward and one aft, under the dinette table. It seemed to me that there were enough bilge openings and airways down low to allow plenty of cool air to replace the warm air exiting. I faced the louvers of the vents up so the heat could escape easier.
The pantry slides I used were these (had to swallow hard on the cost ):
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B3TBR0O
The Engel I have is a year 2000's vintage 35qt model. Not sure if all is the same dimension-wise with today's production unit(s).
Ray |
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dotnmarty
Joined: 03 Nov 2003 Posts: 4196 City/Region: Sammamish
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 1993
C-Dory Model: 16 Angler
Vessel Name: LIZZIE II
Photos: Lizzie
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Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 2:47 pm Post subject: |
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It's always good see the work of Brats with real talent. Thanks for the pictures. _________________ MartyP
"...we're all in the same boat..." |
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redbaronace
Joined: 29 Aug 2012 Posts: 581 City/Region: Puget Sound
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2006
C-Dory Model: 255 Tomcat
Photos: redbaronace (Name TBD)
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Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 3:29 pm Post subject: |
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Glad that we already installed a Norcold fridge in our boat last fall. Had I not done that, I would be trying to copy your creation. Nice work.
My hope is that this year sees more time spent using the boat and less fixing and improving it. |
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Sunbeam
Joined: 23 Feb 2012 Posts: 3990 City/Region: Out 'n' About
State or Province: Other
C-Dory Year: 2002
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Photos: Sunbeam
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Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 5:16 pm Post subject: |
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Nice idea and well executed. I like the efficient use of the "extra" space for things you will want to pop into the refrigerator when you (already) have it open - clever idea!
The only thing I see that makes me wonder is the "lack of security" on the extra cans, which will be exposed every time you open the drawer. Seems to me that in a seaway (or even an anchorage with a wake) those extra cans might go flying (?). That said, I'm sure you could easily devise something to make them more secure (or perhaps they already are and I'm just not seeing it - that's entirely possible). |
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letitride
Joined: 19 Apr 2007 Posts: 76 City/Region: San Jose
State or Province: CA
C-Dory Year: 2008
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: No Limits
Photos: Letitride
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Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 5:55 pm Post subject: |
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Thank you for sharing, I like it and gives me some ideas especially the air vents |
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thataway
Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 20808 City/Region: Pensacola
State or Province: FL
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: thataway
Photos: Thataway
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Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 8:01 pm Post subject: |
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Sunbeam,
From having an installation like this, but with a slightly bigger cooler/freezer, you do not open them in a sea way, or when the boat is rolling. We had a pin which kept the rack closed. If a freezer or cooler full of food gets momentum it will do a lot of damage. We kept tool and spare parts boxes along the side where he has the cans. Nothing went flying, because we didn't take a risk. |
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Captains Cat
Joined: 03 Nov 2003 Posts: 7313 City/Region: Cod Creek>Potomac River>Chesapeake Bay
State or Province: VA
C-Dory Year: 2005
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Captain's Choice II
Photos: Captain's Cat
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Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 8:37 pm Post subject: |
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Right on Bob! We enjoyed that freezer/refrigerator on THATAWAY when we had it. The pin was essential as I found out the first time I failed to put it back in!
Charlie _________________ CHARLIE and PENNY CBRAT #100
Captain's Cat II 2005 22 Cruiser
Thataway (2006 TC255 - Sold Aug 2013)
Captain's Cat (2006 TC255 - Sold January 2012)
Captain's Kitten (1995 CD 16 Angler- Sold June 2010)
Captain's Choice (1994 CD 22 Cruiser- Sold Jun 2007)
Potomac River/Chesapeake Bay
K4KBA |
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Sunbeam
Joined: 23 Feb 2012 Posts: 3990 City/Region: Out 'n' About
State or Province: Other
C-Dory Year: 2002
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Photos: Sunbeam
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Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 8:54 pm Post subject: |
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thataway wrote: | Sunbeam,
From having an installation like this, but with a slightly bigger cooler/freezer, you do not open them in a sea way, or when the boat is rolling. |
Aha, that explains it. I figured Ray had thought it through. I'm used to top-loading only in boats (the typical icebox built into the countertop on bigger boats, and the cooler-in-the-cockpit on the C-Dory). I do like to get into the cooler sometimes when underway, so I'll have to keep that in mind if I ever go to an Engel or similar. |
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hambone
Joined: 24 Jul 2011 Posts: 265 City/Region: Klamath Falls/Brookings OR.
State or Province: OR
C-Dory Year: 2008
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Sea Wolf
Photos: Sea Wolf
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Jake B
Joined: 06 Jun 2012 Posts: 521 City/Region: Sequim
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 1989
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: PLUS 3
Photos: PLUS 3
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Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2014 4:45 pm Post subject: |
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nice instal, I too like seeing all the different ways people modify there boats. |
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Will-C
Joined: 21 Aug 2007 Posts: 2476 City/Region: Temple
State or Province: PA
C-Dory Year: 2008
C-Dory Model: 23 Venture
Vessel Name: Will-C
Photos: Will-C
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Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2014 2:28 pm Post subject: PROJECT-A-PALOOZA--Cooler drawer |
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Great Idea and a great looking end result. This should be the kind of thing the C-Dory factory should include in their optional equipment list. Thanks for sharing.
D.D. _________________ Chevrolet The Heart Beat Of America |
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