Hull question about a 1996 330 Sundancer

1ky

Member
May 15, 2011
68
Georgetown Ky
Boat Info
2006 340 Sundancer
Engines
2 8.1
V Drives
Another CSR member installed a Nova Kool 5810 fridge in his 98 330. I ordered a Nova Kool 5812 (no freezer). They have the exact outer dimensions. The other guy's Nova Kool went in the old opening and sits on a stringer/step up toward the rear of the opening. Looks like there is only about 2" of the fridge that rests on the stringer. My problem is that my fridge won't fit between the top of the stringer and the bottom of the counter top. The fridge is 31" tall and the clearance from stringer to bottom of counter top is 30 1/2. I need to grind off 1/2" of the top surface of the stringer. I need to go back about 2" on the stringer with the cutting (distance fridge is lacking going in). I don't dare cut into something like this without knowing what it's purpose is. What's behind that fiberglass stepped up section? Thanks to all in advance. :smt100
 
I will be watching this thread closely. I pulled the trigger on the same Nova Kool unit.
(As a side note I remember reading that the opening had to be cut removing about 1/2 inch from the top of the original Norcold Cut out).
 
Mike, now reading your post you say the unit only sits on 2 inches of the stringer, mine sat on about 12" of the stringer... But there was an area in the back right corner we had to slightly modify the fridge box (with a hammer) we just taped the case on the bottom rear corner on the tin (there is about 3/4- 1" of insulation if a I recall). It will not impact the inner liner in any way. When we were done and after pushing it in hard and getting a screw or 2 in we do have a small area on the front bottom left corner were the frame of the fridge is just not touching the cabinet frame, something we figure wasn't perfectly square. It is not noticeable at all, we originally thought about getting beige caulk to seal the frame to the cabinet but after we finished and cleaned up decided it looked cleaner to not run the beed of caulk around it. I wish you luck, please keep me posted.
 
Sorry Mike you are having issues with it fitting but I have assisted one other person that had a 1997 330 DA and it was the same as mine, he got it in with no major modifications.
 
The stringer is the "backbone" of the hull. All of its longitudinal strength comes from the stringer and its bond to the hull. Anything you remove weakens the stringer/hull. In a practical world, 1/2" isn't doesn't seem that much, but when you consider that Sea Ray designs the hull components as a unit, you really have no way to know how much you are weakening the structure. The other problem I see is that cutting or grinding the stringer opens it to moisture intrusion, unless you cut more than 1/2" and re-glass the ground surface, which would weaken it even more. On a highly engineered production boat like a Sea Ray, I wouldn't even drill a hole in or add a screw to the stringer.

Another consideration is that the boat will most likely not pass a survey and may not be insurable if you cut the stringer to add a refrigerator. That means it isn't trade-able and won't be saleable to a buyer who will have it surveyed.
 
Hey guys, sorry I had chores yesterday and didn't get on here. I contacted Sea Ray yesterday and explained the situation. A tech told me that if I had to take off a 1/2 " of that step up that it would be okay. He says that the thickness of that section can vary from boat to boat and the measurement is rarely exact. What fits in one may not fit in another.
Larry I guess I wasn't clear about the 2" thing. What I meant was that the fridge is setting out from the cabinet about 2". It will probably sit on about the same amount as yours does once it is in.
Rumrunner we are going down to the boat Saturday. I will definately take some photos for you like I intended to last weekend. Have you taken your fridge out yet? If you have just measure the distance from the top of the stepped up section where the rear of the fridge sits to the bottom of the countertop. The Nova Kool needs 31 1/2" clearance. The additional cut at the top of the original opening is 1/2-3/4". The stainless flange covers it well. The old Norcold didn't give up easily. I had to use a screwdriver to prise off the old door frame after I removed it from the opening (tough old bird). That's the only way to get it out of the cabin. BE VERY CAREFUL getting it out the doorway. It's still tight. Help is highly recommended. When I threw that damn thing in the dumpster, it felt good! We used the new Nova Kool 5812 Saturday night. It's a fantastic fridge! It's crazy quiet! I had to put my hand on it to see if it was running. And the light inside.....
 
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Good to hear. I am relieved it worked out. As for the removal of my Norcold unit, not yet. I cannot wait to get out to the boat and investigate (Based on the information above). What is the thought on the stringer? Notch it out, glass it up? I may be giving you a call looking for any advice. I did receive your PM, thanks for the heads up! Pictures would be great too!
 
Now I understand your question about the "step" in the back, I was able to get the fridge all the way in at first but it was not sitting square because of the rear stringer. As I said to 1ky, all I did is use a hammer to "adjust" the fridge outer box in the rear right corner, there is just insulation there and was not a big deal at all. I did not have to grind down anything on the stringer. I hope this all works out well for you guys! I don't won't you to think I led you in the wrong direction, we have been very happy with our new fridge.
 
Damn!! All this talk of "Bigger" and "Quieter" refrigerators makes me want to change mine and it's not even broken........yet!

And a light inside? Really??


Larry,

How hard was it to calibrate your hammer??
 
I'm going down to the boat Saturday 5/5/12 to give it one more try. I have decided not to alter the stringer in any way. I'm not sure if I want to bend the Nova Kool or not. If I bend it and it still won't fit, I'll have a really expensive refrigerator in my man cave to the tune of $1200.00 bucks + $200.00 shipping. I'm going to chalk it good and see where the fridge is hitting. If it's too much to bend I'm gonna bring it home and sell it and take a loss and move on. LIVE AND LEARN.
 
1ky,

I am heading out to the boat on Saturday as well to pull out my old Norcold and measure up the opening. I may give you a call, I am interested in where you purchased you Nova Kool unit, Best I could do was $1336 and $170 in shipping. That is another concern. The boating season is right around the corner I am do not know the delivery time on such an item.

Hey if it looks like it will fit in my boat I may make you an offer…
 
I'll make this quick. It won't fit in my 96 330 without major alterations to the countertop or refrigerator. I may post more later in the week. Not a good weekend
 
Sorry to hear that bro. You were trying to mount it in a 250 DA?

I'm just a little confused because your title is about a 1996 330 hull and your details claim a 250 DA.
 
This is what I know…

Sized up the opening on my 1996 33 Dancer. The opening is pretty common and, 31’’ by 23 ¼'' (Nova Kool needs the upper edge of the opening cut by about ¾ inch, 31 7/8’’). The Issue that is see is with the step as described by 1KY, the step measures 2 ½’’ high and runs at an angle towards the front of the boat. Towards the stern the dimension from the opening to the step measures 23 11/16’’ , forward to the bow the dimension from the opening to the step measures 21 ½'' (This is the area of the issue, the nova Kool unit measures 23 ¾’’ deep. Another area of concern is the overall height, the dimension from the bottom surface of the counter top to the top surface of the step measures (on my 33 Dancer) 30 ¼’’. The Nova Kool needs 31’’ (Per 1KY) and a ¾’’ inch problem. I will add that the dimension from the bottom surface of the counter top to the bottom surface of the step Measures 32 7/8’’.

I agree with 1KY that the modification of the step is something that I would not want to do.

Some History on my Dancer. She was built at the Palm Cost Assembly Facility (from what I am told an “Overflow” Plant, a majority of the boats were built in Knoxville? (T on the HIN, mine has a P)). Process variation in assembly between different years of boats and different assembly plants is a contributing factor.

1KY, when I get a break in the action today I will give you a call, based on what you have posted it looks as if I am have the same fit issue as you (worse). We can compare notes.


-Chris Biel
 
Sorry guys you are having trouble with this, I do feel bad as you took this project on based on my recommendation... Honestly it went in on my boat with very little effort.
 
I noticed the OP said he ordered a different model (no freezer) with the same dimensions. Is it possible, the dimensions are not actually the same even though they are listed that way?
 

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