Cockpit Ice Maker to Fridge

[wetpaint]

My ice maker (in cockpit) door has a bit of weeping rust...I removed the door to correct this and I got to thinking....I never use the ice maker.....Why not change it out for a fridge......Has anyone done this? Happy with change? Not happy with change?

 

[rondds]

I know a couple of people who did this and they are both very happy with the change. They never used the icemaker either.

If you did make the change, you'd have no problem selling your "used" icemaker. They are obscenely expensive new.

 

[wetpaint]

Good point......

 

[Alex F]

John,

It's hard to say, b/c this is another one that depends individual preference. Based on my observation, majority have cockpit fridge. I don't know if there's a real need to have an ice maker. All fridges I've seen have small freezer section where we make our ice cubes from bottled or filtered water. For us extra fridge space was always a necessity. You said you never used your ice maker, the question is do you need more fridge space. If the answer is yes, then you're wasting (not using and it's just getting old and rusty) good equipment and limiting yourself with something you need instead.

I would place and ad and see if you can sell yours to offset some expense. The same situation would be much worst 2-3 yrs from now when the unit rusts much worst or stops working.

 

[Summer Fun II]

When I had the 30ft Sea Ray we had one like this for our ice cube needs.

It only cost $120 bucks online and paid for itself the first summer we had it :thumbsup: . :thumbsup:

this portable ice maker can produce up to 28 pounds of ice per day.

 

[wetpaint]

Thanks guys.....Sometimes its just nice to hear from other people what you want to do.......I will wait until after the miami boat show....

 

[Carver370]

I am thinking of doing the same thing as well. I wind up dumping good ice all the time just to keep it working.

 

[dmartin155]

I did it on my 33' Sundancer (freezer not icemaker). I like using the cockpit fridge for beer/drinks while hanging at the dock or for day trips. If I go away for days at a time, I'll use both fridges for food, and keep beer/drinks in a large cooler with block ice. I have a Genny so batteries get charged every night and morning. (prefer mooring to a dock).

Friends I go away with have an icemaker. I'ts great when at the dock but, empty after first day away. Would have to run genny constantly to make ice. Cheaper to dinghy in to shore and buy some. (most places). Also a good excuse to grab a beer and cigar, and go for a dinghy ride!!!!


For me the freezer was useless.

 

[IanBat]

I have the fridge in the rear which I use for drinks, the inside for food. I have enough space in the freezer section of the 2 fridges for ice, which so far we haven't used. I find the rear fridge excellent, drinks are readily at hand without walking into the cab.

 

[rondds]

Love my icemaker and would probably be dumb enough to spend a boat dollar to replace it if need be.

 

[cod]

I love my ice maker also, but I guess it all depends on what you drink.....ice is a must for my Patron margaritas! if I can get a "Lime maker" and a "Patron maker" now that would be boating heaven.........

 

[HUMPH]

I love my ice maker also, but I guess it all depends on what you drink.....ice is a must for my Patron margaritas! if I can get a "Lime maker" and a "Patron maker" now that would be boating heaven.........

Mmmmmmmm, Patron Maker!

 

[NorCal Boater]

When we had our 340 we disconnected the water and just used the ice maker for a freezer. Bought bags of ice and kept them there. Worked great.

 

[HUMPH]

When we had our 340 we disconnected the water and just used the ice maker for a freezer. Bought bags of ice and kept them there. Worked great.

How are things going? Are you thinking about another boat soon?

 

[tdschafer]

I have a fridge in the cockpit. I am very happy with it. I fill it with adult beverages and juice boxes. It's very handy when hanging out at the dock. Just pop on and grab a cold one. I also have a portable ice maker that came with my boat but, I have yet to use it!!

 

[rondds]

When I got this boat and saw this ice maker, my first thought was "what the heck am I going to do with this?" Then I started to use it and there was no going back. The beverages go in the cooler in the cockpit which frees up a ton of space in the fridge. The ice from the maker keeps the cooler going.

 

[Alex F]

The thing with the ice is that there are few options. For small amounts it's very easy to make it in the small freezer sections of the cockpit fridge or main fridge in the salon. For large amounts ice bags is something that's easy to get in most marinas. This is why having extra fridge space for a cruising family takes priority over an ice maker (in my case).

As I said earlier, there's no right or wrong here. It's just a matter of preference on how each one uses the equipment.

 

[Kendall]

I would love to have an ice maker just to eliminate the coolers we have to have to hold ice for the weekend. The portable one is just too big and cumbersome on the boat....takes as much room as a cooler full of ice!

:smt021

 

[rondds]

Kendall, a bigger boat would solve all your ice problems ;-)

 

[tdschafer]

Kendall,
I don't know what portable ice makers you've seen or the size of the coolers you use but, my icemaker is on a shelf in a Gladiator cabinet in my garage! My cooler would not even fit in this space. It is much , much bigger than my ice maker. Just saying.