The old refrigeration on our boat died in 2019 from a lack of "freon". The recharge port fittings were non-standard and nobody around here had the adapter. So, I went to Sea Frost and ordered a double plate freezer box for the Admiral. We wanted it to fit in the cubby outboard. And so I measured that area for the width of the freezer bin. That was a mistake as the cubby is WIDER than the opening to the ice box. So we ended up setting the bin on its side at the bottom of the ice box. So here begins the tale of removing the top of the ice box.
Yes, Tartan built these upside down and then turned it right side up and put lots of screws through the sides to hold in the ice box. Those screws just hold the tub part into the hull. The top section is screwed to the tub from underneath. We pulled all the screws out thinking they were in line with the top. There is a hidden screw behind the lee board for the pilot's berth. The top goes under the galley cabinet about 8 inches and there are two screws in my boat that screw down into the top section. So maybe we didn't have to remove the stove but it made working on the galley cabinet much easier. Once the cabinet was removed, we pried off the top and then took a grinder to the screws that were sticking up.
Attachment:
File comment: We got the top off. 
IMG_20221031_100902665.jpg [ 220.06 KB | Viewed 0 times ] Here's a shot of the underside of the top.
Attachment:
File comment: Look at all the screws holding the top sections together. 
IMG_20221031_102249753.jpg [ 236.37 KB | Viewed 0 times ] That allowed us to put the freezer bin in the location we had picked out.
Attachment:
File comment: Refrigerator is running. 
IMG_20221031_105912415.jpg [ 211.05 KB | Viewed 0 times ] Then we re-installed the top using new SS screws. Most of the screws were the same length as the originals but 6 of them were extra long at 3 inches. That length penetrated the tub sides and entered the top section to hold it to the boat. I put two screws on each side. The galley cabinet is screwed down to the outboard side of the ice box. So we should still be able to take a tumble. Anyway, a day and a half of work and we are enjoying cold drinks again. Now for bungs and matching colors.
Attachment:
File comment: Galley view after all the work. 
IMG_20221031_144959024.jpg [ 259.62 KB | Viewed 0 times ] 
Login
Register
FAQ
