Atom Voyagervideo
Boat Galley Modification: From Built-in Icebox to Portable Fridge
May 9, 2026 · 10 min · 3K views
Sailor primes boat hull interior with brush in sunlight
What this video covers
Atom removes a poorly insulated built-in icebox sitting adjacent to a diesel engine on a Pearson Triton and rebuilds the space into two distinct compartments: a 12-volt house battery locker aft and a portable fridge-freezer locker forward.▶ 0:04 After cutting out the icebox, insulation, door tracks, and hull liner, he fabricates a cardboard pattern for a divider panel, then builds the cabinetry from Douglas fir A/B-rated marine plywood — ¾-inch (six-ply) and ½-inch (five-ply) — chosen over pricier imported BS1088 Maranti because it is locally available and adequate for the application.▶ 1:28 Half-inch stock is preferred over ¾-inch where panels are glassed into the hull, since each glassed panel adds hull stiffness.▶ 2:30 Countertop lids get Formica laminated with contact cement applied in two thin coats; teak trim and a teak plywood freezer door finish the joinery.▶ 3:21 Screw heads are plugged using a Forstner bit and plug cutter.▶ 5:27 Interior surfaces receive two coats of Interprotect Barrier Coat 2000E epoxy primer, then Valspar porch and patio paint in off-white satin — chosen over marine paints like Easy Cabin Coat for cost and scuff resistance.▶ 6:27 A 628 amp-hour lithium battery bank and solar array will power the portable freezer without shore power.▶ 10:03
Boats in this video
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