The ice box :(

Well, we have been back in civilization for a few days now and I’m knee-deep in boat projects.

The two major ones I’ve started is building a new dash and re-wiring the engine. I’ve got a set of new Faria gauges which will look pretty sharp once I’m done.

The big job however is building a new ice box.

I spoke to a friend of mine who was in the boat-building business and he said that most boat manufactures don’t build a good icebox. The reason being is that it’s not an easy job, expensive to insulate it properly, and the client never knows better because the work is not exposed to the eye. Most manufacturers build a cavity around the box and fill it with a poured foam as insulation. The poured foam isn’t really good insulation to start with and they don’t usually use enough in order to save space.

I’ve cut out the walls to the inside of my box and was surprised to see how badly mine was built.

The floor of the icebox was poured separately and was built in such a way that in the corners there was no insulation at all. 2 sides of the box had 3” of insulation, one had 2”, and the one against the hull had less than an inch.

Also the door to the icebox needs to be rebuilt which is a big project in itself.

The downside of the project is I’m cutting and grinding fiberglass which leaves me itchy at the end of each work day. The upside is I’ll have an icebox with 6” of blue-board foam (with foil sides) around it which will save me so much money & power for years to come. I WILL have an efficient refrigeration system!

I’m also building a refrigeration system around my new masterflux compressor and controller.  Let me also say I know nothing about refrigeration. I’m going to learn as I go which is the “Minimalist Sailor” Philosophy.

It’s my humble opinion that if one wants a fancy and complicated onboard system such as refrigeration or a watermaker, one should take 100% responsibility for it and build it themselves. The benefit being freedom! Knowledge is power, and essential to the voyaging sailor. KNOW YOUR BOAT!

Speaking of boats. I’ve found a 36’ Cape George cutter for 15k.

The 36’ Cape George cutter is one of the best boats ever built! If I had the money I would fly to Seattle tomorrow and buy it. It has a blown engine and is basic, basic, basic. It also has a wooden mast which most North Americans don’t like which I cant figure out why? I’m pulling my eyes out over this boat as I’ve wanted to own one my whole life.

I would choose this boat over a West Sail, Cheoy Lee, Tayana, and even a Bristol Channel cutter (only because of size). These boats are built by hand like the BCC and are designed beautifully. They heave-to easily, have a simple stern-hung rudder, and a full keel.

If I have a rich uncle out there I don’t know about that wants to buy us a wedding present this would be it.  If one of you guys doesn’t jump on this I don’t know what to say!

I’d put a new motor, possibly a rebuilt Perkins 4108 in her and most likely keep the wooden mast. If you ever were dismasted, a wooden mast is easy to fix anywhere in the world. They also float, so you won’t lose it. If you really wanted an aluminum stick it’s not that big of a deal to swap it out.

This is exactly what you want to build a solid voyaging yacht upon. I had a friend who was going to look at it but was distracted by a well outfitted mariner ketch.

Sure you could find a better outfitted boat with a working engine and lots of extra bits & pieces, but it will NEVER be a Cape George cutter!

Boats aren’t like cars or motorhomes. Hull design and quality craftsmanship play a much bigger part in a yacht’s ability, not to mention safety. If somebody wants to make the move, here is your chance!

Carla picked up another small canvas project. She really loves the work and is just so damn good at it. She is really pulling her weight around here which is so much more than I could ever have asked for. Her mom also told us she was going to rent us a little car-camper for our honeymoon in Patagonia. How fun will that be? I am so, so, so very excited about November!   

Well that’s it for today guys. I have a busy day ahead of me. Being in Linton is kind of like being at the office. When I’m/we’re here we don’t have the “laid-back” vibe of the San Blas.

I’m all about work now, and seeing how far we can stretch the little money we have. I’d really like to see the refrigerator project  to fruition, get the watermaker flowing, fill the diesel tanks, and make a few runs to Columbia and back (backpackers) to afford a haul-out and some money to transit the canal. 

Peace, Love, and Coconuts.

Sail far and live slowly.

– alex

Author: Alex

I'm just a sailor bum ;) View all posts by Alex