The little things on a sailboat, and life matter, we built a refrigerator
April 12, 2026 · 20 min · 1K views
Man seals foam-insulated fridge inside sailboat cabin
What this video covers
A refit on a Tartan Marine 34 C involves converting an existing ice box into a custom-built, insulated refrigerator.▶ 3:20 The project requires removing an obstructive cabinet and sink to access the hull, then scribing and installing layers of XPS foam insulation to achieve four to seven inches of thickness.▶ 4:09 The builder uses window and door expanding foam to seal gaps between insulation layers and lines the interior with 1/8-inch FRP panels.▶ 9:47 For the cooling system, the project utilizes a pre-charged NovaCool LT2 unit with an evaporator plate mounted inside the box.▶ 12:54 Electrical installation involves running 10-gauge wire from the battery bank and installing a double-pole, single-throw switch to disconnect both positive and negative leads.▶ 15:11 The builder emphasizes using high-quality crimpers and heat-shrink connectors to prevent corrosion in the marine environment.▶ 16:56 After testing the system to confirm the evaporator plate cools, the builder seals the top with foam and prepares to reinstall the countertop and cabinetry.▶ 18:39
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