[Public-List] Insulating the icebox

[John Riley]

How big a block of ice and what weather?

I ask because I added insulation (regular blue foam from Lowe's) to our 
liner boat's ice box and we have gotten 7-14 days in 90+ degree outside 
temperature days (inside boat hotter still).  That's using 3 6qt solid 
blocks and a bag or so of crushed to filled the gaps.

A know another cruiser on a Rhodes Meridian 26 who gets 14+ days out of 
the block ice in his beefed up ice box as well.

Point is...with a well insulated box, block ice lasting times can be 
measured in weeks, not days.

Tips we used that help also: Fill the box. If not with food or ice, then 
with newspaper or SOMETHING.  We also stuffed / packed along the top, 
just before closing the lid, a spread out mylar reflective blanket (a 
cheapo camping emergency blanket).  The box was judiciously not opened 
any more than absolutely necessary...once or AT MOST twice per day.  A 
smaller cooler used to store stuff for the day helps.  If one is opening 
the lid every time you want a cold drink, efficiency is lost.


On 03/13/2013 04:30 PM, Randy Katz wrote:
>
>     We've resorted to a regular cooler with a block of ice in the v berth
> and use the icebox for dry goods storage (well, and wine). Depending on the
> weather, the ice lasts 3-5 days.
>
>     Regards,
>
> Randy Katz
> #249
> Bellingham/Seattle
>
>
>
>
>

-- 
John S. Riley
S/V Gaelic Sea
1972 Alberg 30 #521


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