B31 Kill box and Tackle Station

Ironworker · Post by **Ironworker** » Nov 27th, '24, 17:13

I'm planning on building a two part kill box and bolt on tackle station specifically to fit the B31 cockpit.

My criteria is to be light, rugged, well insulated and large enough to handle 5 large Wahoo or 6 Tuna. I hope that it will hold roughly 200#s plus of ice. My current plan is to have a bolt on tackle station/rocket launcher that fits the back half of the kill box. The front (facing the stern of the boat) with have a lifting lid but will also serve as a seat and the tackle station will serve as a back for the seats.

I'm going to make the tackle station removable so that the whole box could be a platform or have the capacity for multiple seats. If I'm pleased with the prototype in use, then I'm going to make a live well in in the same foot print as the tackle station for live bait tuna fishing.

It will include a couple of holders for gaffs and harpoons and cup holders which are in short supply in the cockpit of a 31. I've thought about including a removable divider in the kill box for bottom fishing but this is low on the list. One issue I have gone back and forth on is how best to clean out the kill box after fishing.

I'm open to any suggestions in fact requesting suggestions before I start this project in January. I'll try to get a sketch drawn up and post a photo this weekend. What are your thoughts?

Tony Meola · Post by **Tony Meola** » Nov 27th, '24, 21:56

Rick

Years ago, I knew someone that had a big kill box made for his 31. It sat in the middle of the deck, and you walked around it. Unfortunatly I dont remember how he drained it and cleaned it.

I always thought that it would just be something else to be in the way. We use to have ( I actually still have it but don't use it.) the old-style fish box that set up against the transom. We would move it to the center of the boat when chumming. It was always in the way when you had a big fish on.

If I were building one like you are, I would set up a low spot that it could drain to and install a macerator pump to pump the garbage out of it. Hood a hose up to a drain port and pump it overboard. A hose and a long handle brush for cleaning.

Can't think of a better way of doing it other then put the box under the deck like Lilco did.

Ironworker · Post by **Ironworker** » Nov 28th, '24, 10:42

Under the deck is a no go for me. My exhaust are run outboard and I have two 63 gallon Aux fuel tanks on either side of the main fuel tank. I like the floor boxes but I needed the extra fuel capacity more.

I do have a huge box in the cabin floor which works pretty well for storage but not for a kill box for large fish or bottom fishing. I do have a very large fish bag which I carry ice and subdued fish. My current set up is two 120 qt coolers back to back in the cockpit. One as a kill box and one for other stuff. These coolers are too small. A transom box is less desirable for me. I have a swim platform installed and we need to step up close to the transom to clear the platform with lines when fighting larger fish.

Yannis · Post by **Yannis** » Nov 28th, '24, 11:45

I'm not familiar at all with all this, but if you're talking about a fish box that will sit on the deck, then dumping and cleaning should be easy if it has a drain. Attach a drain hose and direct it through the rear deck water discharge openings. Allow gravity do the rest.
Washing it should be easy, if you open the lid, wear gloves and use chlorox.
What I'm I missing?

Carl · Post by **Carl** » Nov 29th, '24, 10:25

Radius/fillets over corners for easier cleaning.

Choices r a drain or a drain and an opening/removable panel/door. A drain is simplest to make, but the person cleaning needs to reach in, stuff gets hung up around drain that will have to be cleared. Incorporating a removable panel one can give a quick draining n clean then get in there to finish the job. Down side is the build gets complicated having to seal panel plus the extra parts to be cleaned.

I’m not a fan of stuff on the deck…but do see the use of a central station. If not utilizing the swim platform on fish days is a box on outside of transom, on platform a possibility? It’s already dead space. Plus it keeps the mess n cleanup outside the boat.

Ironworker · Post by **Ironworker** » Nov 29th, '24, 13:10

Carl,

Those are excellent points. One of my thoughts for keeping the weight off the transom and swim platform is keeping the CG as far forward as possible. This may not be as big of an issue as I think. I might do some experiments with moving the loaded coolers around in the cockpit and onto the swim platform and see how the boat handles.

Tony Meola · Post by **Tony Meola** » Nov 30th, '24, 00:53

Rick

We use to liad that old transome fish box with ice. Picture a box 5 ft long, about 20 inches wide and 24 inches deep. Then two 15 gallon barrells of extra fuel lashed into the corners of the transom.

Exhuast ports almost under water. Thats what you are looking at if the box sits on the swim platform. Exhuasts will be underwater.

The weight centered as close to the engine box will balance the boat better than weight st the transom.

Carl · Post by **Carl** » Dec 1st, '24, 08:59

I was hesitant to mention putting additional weight on the swim platform, but it is definitely an option.

.

Tony Meola wrote: ↑Nov 30th, '24, 00:53 Rick
We use to liad that old transome fish box with ice. Picture a box 5 ft long, about 20 inches wide and 24 inches deep. Then two 15 gallon barrells of extra fuel lashed into the corners of the transom.
Exhuast ports almost under water. Thats what you are looking at if the box sits on the swim platform. Exhuasts will be underwater.

Tony, I guess you weighed the option yourself (pun intended) and went with the weight on platform instead of inside the cockpit. Must be a reason that made enough sense to do that more than once. The Fuel outside definitely makes sense especially if gasoline.

Anyway, with a pair of extra tanks down low in the allies outside main tank, big chunks of diesel eating motors centered, multiple batteries centered low….the boat weight layout is different and may handle additional weight on the platform better. Especially if big insulated compartment under cabin floor is utilized. Although if using for ice n food, that weight gets less while adding weight aft catching fish.

Whatever, it’s an option.

Tony Meola · Post by **Tony Meola** » Dec 2nd, '24, 23:06

Carl

The only issue I really have with it all is that you have to dance around a big box sitting in the middle of the deck. I guess you get used to it.

Heck before the Bert, we had a 26 foot Zobell Sea Fox, it was one of those old Jersey style lapstrakes. The engine box sat in the middle of the deck and we managed around that pretty well, but we were not going offshore with it. Chum for blues, troll and Fluke and Striper Fishing. It somehow all worked.

Carl · Post by **Carl** » Dec 4th, '24, 15:24

gimme a boat in any configuration and I'll put it to good use. I'll also take in what I like and dislike and opinionate accordingly. I doubt opinionate is a word, but it should be...Opinionate- to gather information to become opinionated.

Anyway, my opinion keep me in the 31. It gets out and back in less then ideal conditions. Large open cockpit to fish, swim, entertain, relax, put stuff. A cabin to store stuff, keep a few cold beverages and frozen bait (that stays frozen, hopefully), sleep out of the elements. I think it also has great lines and a classic look.

Whatever...I'm not found of a ton of weight on the transom. I experience that mostly with guests that gravitate to sitting at the back without countering the weight up front like I would do heading fishing or on a trip. Food, ice, beverages in big coolers up front to counter the fuel n gear. Diesel and tabs make that less of an issue now. Goose the throttle and she'll level off, or add tab...no more bogging down or requiring a fire hose of fuel to go go.

Tony Meola · Post by **Tony Meola** » Dec 4th, '24, 21:36

Carl

You are right about the difference those diesels make. The weight doesn't seem to bother them like when I had the gas engines.

Ironworker · Post by **Ironworker** » Mar 28th, '25, 14:43

We are coming up on completing this project. We started about a month ago. The final dimensions are 36" x 56" out to out. The inside dimension is 18" high in the stern and 22" high in the bow portion of the box to accommodate the bait tray. I was not able to figure out how to make the rigging station detachable and stable at the same time, so I incorporated it into the design. I actually think this improved the functionality as it forms a backrest for a bench. I used 1.5" XPS insulation with 3 layers of glass inside. Everywhere else got one layer of 1808. The only downside of XPS is that you have to use epoxy which adds to the cost. I used 1/4" coosa as a coring/framing material. We added a bait tray or wine rack depending on the time of day. It has two 1" drains facing the stern of the boat.

I hope to have it primed this weekend as I'm heading to the Bahamas in a week or so. I'll post a couple of pics when I get it out into the sun.

Ironworker · Post by **Ironworker** » Mar 29th, '25, 11:32

A couple of production pics

Tony Meola · Post by **Tony Meola** » Mar 29th, '25, 21:06

Rick

You do some nice work. I am looking forward to seeing the finished product incorporated into the boat.

Ironworker · Post by **Ironworker** » Mar 30th, '25, 09:06

I appreciate the complement. We probably will not get it finish painted before we head to the Bahamas but I'll get it primed. I likely will have some changes for version 2 after I fish the box for a season.

More pics coming soon.

ktm_2000 · Post by **ktm_2000** » Mar 31st, '25, 07:25

how about a bonar box?

a lot of the comm boats up here run these, there are multiple sizes.

https://www.globalindustrial.com/p/arct ... HMQAvD_BwE

Ironworker · Post by **Ironworker** » Mar 31st, '25, 18:02

ktm_2000 wrote: ↑Mar 31st, '25, 07:25 how about a bonar box?

a lot of the comm boats up here run these, there are multiple sizes.

https://www.globalindustrial.com/p/arct ... HMQAvD_BwE

Those are nice boxes. I was looking for a multi function box. I was using two 120 qt coolers back to back. One with gear and bait and the other for a kill box. We moved fish from the kill box to a fish bag. This new kill box will allow us to keep fish in the box, we have a bait tray built in. A tackle station on top for re-rigging lures, etc. I'm also installing four rod holders and some knife/pliers holders and most importantly come cup holders on top. Hopefully we will get the cockpit organized.

Tony Meola · Post by **Tony Meola** » Mar 31st, '25, 20:54

Ironworker wrote: ↑Mar 31st, '25, 18:02 Those are nice boxes. I was looking for a multi function box. I was using two 120 qt coolers back to back. One with gear and bait and the other for a kill box. We moved fish from the kill box to a fish bag. This new kill box will allow us to keep fish in the box, we have a bait tray built in. A tackle station on top for re-rigging lures, etc. I'm also installing four rod holders and some knife/pliers holders and most importantly come cup holders on top. Hopefully we will get the cockpit organized.

I remember back in the day when it was much easier. We used the old-style fish box. Fiberglass, teak top. It sat along the transom. We would get 6 yellowfins in it on a bed of crushed ice, if needed we would take the head off and add another fish or two. Then at night while we hung out offshore, we would filet all the fish we caught out and put in plastic bags on ice in an igloo cooler.

Can't do that today, with the regulations requiring the Tuna pretty much be whole.

ktm_2000 · Post by **ktm_2000** » Apr 1st, '25, 09:09

My buddy found this top on ebay and switched out a rocket launcher for it and put some rod holders on the side of a smaller box

https://photos.app.goo.gl/t8MGTeKWrLXjpF8s5

ktm_2000 · Post by **ktm_2000** » Apr 1st, '25, 09:36

Tony,

I am curious, we tuna bomb our fish as soon as they bleed out, cut the head off and pack the belly with ice and into the cooler with 10 min of coming out of the water. Nice size reduction and they have a handy carrying handle.

what regs prevent that?

Ironworker · Post by **Ironworker** » Apr 1st, '25, 10:05

ktm_2000 wrote: ↑Apr 1st, '25, 09:09 My buddy found this top on ebay and switched out a rocket launcher for it and put some rod holders on the side of a smaller box

https://photos.app.goo.gl/t8MGTeKWrLXjpF8s5

That wouldn't work for me but its gives me an idea. To open the lid of the cooler everything has to be moved from the top. I'm thinking that I could fab a stand up tackle station for one of the prebuilt coolers. There is a fair amount of work in building the cooler portion of the box that I built getting the lids as air tight as possible, etc. Buying an insulated box would cut out a lot of work.

I'll do a little research on these boxes and see what I can come up with. Now back to priming the kill box!

bob lico · Post by **bob lico** » Apr 1st, '25, 15:49

WOW i have not caught 5 wahoo in my life plus a giant tuna (73" plus") on the same trip ,very impressive . when i removed the deck i build the largest possible kill boxes that could ever be built under the deck on a 31 Bertram in every dimension. my 6" exhaust run right along side the outside hull, then the OEM stringer with vertical supports directly on top of the stringer to gain the 1" advantage rather then adjacent ,i did the same to the striger along side the fuel tank and gain another 1", the box is maximum length i even notch the front of the box for the shaft log and the height the box is sitting on the bilge floor conforming to the dead rise so the box is the biggest you can possibly fit on a 31 Bertram. i have offshore race boat (APBA) fuel pick up in the 230 gallon tank and have 400 mile range i definitely don`t need more range . i put a 496 pound tuna in the box and i don`t expect to ever exceed that . regulations would not allow me to take more then one giant ,i have a drain at the back of the box to empty the box of salt water ice for wreck fishing sea bass ,togs , fluke ,cod and a clete at either end of box to lift out of the hold after draining.

Ironworker · Post by **Ironworker** » Apr 1st, '25, 16:38

Bob,

You make some good points. I gave serious consideration to adding in floor boxes but at the end of the day, more fuel/range won out. Traveling in the far and southern bahamas one could easily go through 200 gallons of fuel then find the fuel barge didn't make it the marina that week and may not make it next week. It happens a often. I despise fuel bags and portable fuel containers.

We don't often kill alot of fish but there are times when we may put 30 or 40 dolphin in the box along with some 75# plus wahoos maybe a couple of other fish as well. We give away quite a bit of fish to some of the older folks on the in Spanish Wells so when the fish are willing to jump in the boat then they are going home with us.

When I decided to refurbish my 31, I fully intended on building a day boat but as we got started the wife really wanted a boat that we could travel for 3 or 4 days to other islands in the Bahamas. That changed our thinking and the design of the interior of the boat.

If I some how got amnesia and decided to refurbish another 31, I can't think of too many things, I would do differently than I did on my current boat.

Tony Meola · Post by **Tony Meola** » Apr 4th, '25, 21:44

ktm_2000 wrote: ↑Apr 1st, '25, 09:36 Tony,

I am curious, we tuna bomb our fish as soon as they bleed out, cut the head off and pack the belly with ice and into the cooler with 10 min of coming out of the water. Nice size reduction and they have a handy carrying handle.

what regs prevent that?

If you do that, I believe you need to keep the head on the boat. i was commenting more on the staying overnight and making room for the next day but getting rid of the whole rack. The meat packed in plastic bags on ice.

CHolgerson · Post by **CHolgerson** » Apr 5th, '25, 14:04

As long as the dressed rack is above the minimum length it is legal. Be careful with bluefin though.

Ironworker · Post by **Ironworker** » Apr 16th, '25, 08:02

Well here is the final version of Killbox/Tackle Station 1.0. The unit provides much needed seating which faces the stern. Maybe my crew will keep a better watch on the spread. Also behind the backrest is storage for tackle boxes. I'm still looking for the perfect tackle box solution. There are three access doors to the large bait tray. Two doors will have tackler boxes stored on top with one door being left open to access the bait tray. I'm pretty sure I'll be able to get 75 to 100 rigged baits on the tray if I ever need that much. Maybe 48 rigged baits, lunch and a nice bottle of wine. The back rest and seat will eventually have a 1" cushion installed but I ran out of time. The unit is in the boat which I will post a pic after I get the other stuff out of the cock for the trip over to the Bahamas. Stand by.

Carl · Post by **Carl** » Apr 16th, '25, 10:29

You do great work Rick. The design squeezes every ounce out of the space with multiple uses, I like it. Hope it exceeds your expectations!

Ironworker · Post by **Ironworker** » Apr 16th, '25, 11:37

Thanks Carl. I had conceived originally of having the tackle station removable and adding a live well atop of the base unit. That got complicated from an engineering standpoint. It would be a lot of weight atop what is a pretty light box relatively speaking, I haven't taken that option off the table just yet but I'm going to fish this box for awhile and see if I can make in improvements in version 2.0.

Ironworker · Post by **Ironworker** » Apr 16th, '25, 15:54

Here is the Kill box in the boat.

Tony Meola · Post by **Tony Meola** » Apr 16th, '25, 21:24

Rick

Nice work. Looks great.

Question, how easy is it to move should you need to get into one of the hatches in an emergency? I assume you are bolting it down to the deck.

Ironworker · Post by **Ironworker** » Apr 17th, '25, 08:14

Tony Meola wrote: ↑Apr 16th, '25, 21:24 Rick

Nice work. Looks great.

Question, how easy is it to move should you need to get into one of the hatches in an emergency? I assume you are bolting it down to the deck.

Good question! I only have one hatch in my deck which is at the stern for access to steering and bilge pump. I eliminated the other hatches during the rebuild. The box sits forward of that hatch. While I haven't weighed the box, my wife and I can pick it up when empty. I'm guessing it weighs 80 to 90#s empty maybe a little less. It is not bolted down. I put some eva foam(Seadek) on the bottom which is the same as on the deck. It doesn't move at all. Most of the box is not in contact with the deck. I built in some camber on the deck for the water to drain to the gutters, so I added a strip of 1/4" coosa to the ends with the eva foam on that lifted the center of the box off the floor.

I can drag it around fairly easily.

Carl · Post by **Carl** » Apr 17th, '25, 11:51

Ironworker wrote: ↑Apr 17th, '25, 08:14 I can drag it around fairly easily.

That s till its gets loaded with fish! But that's a good problem to have.

Crazy a 31' boat with a cabin can fit something that size with room to get around, gotta love the 31 Bertram!

Ironworker · Post by **Ironworker** » Apr 17th, '25, 16:31

Carl wrote: ↑Apr 17th, '25, 11:51 That s till its gets loaded with fish! But that's a good problem to have.

Crazy a 31' boat with a cabin can fit something that size with room to get around, gotta love the 31 Bertram!

The 31 is a great boat. It definitely fights above it's weight class, especially drawing only 3 feet. In the Bahamas and Caribbean a shallow draft boat is must!

I mocked up a model for sizing and reduced the width 4" originally. After seeing just how much volume/space is in the cooler I could have likely reduced it to a 36" x 48" footprint. It would have been cheaper and easier to build. There is plenty of room to work around the box certainly more space than in every CC that I have ever fished.

Ironworker · Post by **Ironworker** » Apr 17th, '25, 16:41

Here is what I was dealing with before the Kill box project. These two coolers had almost the same footprint. The Kill box is about 6 inches wider but the entire bottom is usable space where as the coolers were not fully usable and the vertical space for rigging baits and storing tackle is free space IMO. Its much easier to stand up and rig baits than sitting hunched over a bucket!

Hopefully the weather will cooperate soon and we can get out and fish! That will be the true test!

Tony Meola · Post by **Tony Meola** » Apr 17th, '25, 21:43

Rick

That last picture brings back memories of running offshore with coolers of ice stored wherever there was space. Best spot was on the engine box behind the bridge ladder. We could tie it off so it wouldn't move.

Ironworker · Post by **Ironworker** » Apr 18th, '25, 08:03

Large quantities of ice is a must for quality fish. Several years ago we started cleaning our pelagics to sushi grade standards. It takes a lot of ice to keep a couple of hundred pounds of fish properly chilled.

The jury is still out on how well my new box will keep ice. I had been storing extra ice in fish bags in the cabin floor which was marginal at best. I'm hoping the 1.5" xps foam will do it's job. I'm still working on a quality sealing weather stripping for the lids on the box. I spent a fair amount of time properly fitting the glassed foam lids to close properly. Hopefully the weather sealing won't be needed.

Carl · Post by **Carl** » Apr 18th, '25, 11:32

Ironworker wrote: ↑Apr 17th, '25, 16:41 Its much easier to stand up and rig baits than sitting hunched over a bucket!

Very good point Rick. Reminds me I need to modify my cutting board as I thought I was being smart mounting to my flat trolling pole mounts on gunnel. Board, tray is great for a piece of bait or table to rig something up, clean a fish or two...but any time bent over kills the back. Sitting on a bucket or chair trying to lean over...just bad.

Two coolers as you mention have all that lost space between and other then sitting on top have little other purpose. Storage and rigging station is a nice idea.

All that said...I'd dislike having that in my cockpit...but I use my boat different. However something to think about.

Ironworker · Post by **Ironworker** » Apr 18th, '25, 14:14

Carl,

My boat is heavily modified including a transom door and wash down and live well faucets at the stern which mostly would eliminate a built in transom box. No room under the floor because of fuel tanks and exhaust. I thought I would be happy with keeping fish in the fish bags in the cabin floor but that was not a great solution. We'll see how the box works out. I suspect I'll be modifying it in the future. We pretty much will only be using this box 3 months out of the year, The remainder of the time it will likely sitting on the dock which is why its not being bolted down.

ktm_2000 · Post by **ktm_2000** » Apr 18th, '25, 16:39

Rick,

Nice work on the box, I like the 2 levels on the front as there is never enough flat space on a boat to put something down on.

I have one other comment, I don't think you have enough rod holders in the cockpit area

Ironworker · Post by **Ironworker** » Apr 19th, '25, 07:46

The ratio of rod holders to beer holders maybe a little skewed!

Ironworker · Post by **Ironworker** » Apr 28th, '25, 08:01

I wanted to give one last post in this thread on the fishing results of the killbox/tackle station. The angler reviews were great. All had fished in the boat both without and with the new unit. All much preferred fishing with the box. Comments were that it was very convenient to be seated while fighting a fish. They used the handles to steady themselves while maneuvering on the boat in rough seas, having the tackle organized and especially having the rigged baits in the bait tray.

The box holds ice very well, better than I thought it would. We put in seven 25# bags of ice Saturday morning and fished Saturday afternoon, over-nighted on the hook in the Exumas and fished the next day. When we got back to the dock at the end of the second day we put 5 bags of ice back in the freezer. Our guess is that we had about 25% melt and that we could fish 4 days and still have ice. We were opening the lids on the box pretty frequently adding fish to the mix. It was a fairly slow couple of days but we ended up with roughly 35 fish in the box.

Tommy · Post by **Tommy** » Apr 28th, '25, 13:41

Congratulations on a job well done, Capt. Rick!

Ironworker · Post by **Ironworker** » Apr 28th, '25, 15:50

Tommy,

If you're fishing in the Bahamas its not really work!

I think I'm going to tackle a radio box for the flybridge next unless someone has some other ideas for a project.

Tony Meola · Post by **Tony Meola** » Apr 28th, '25, 20:44

Rick

Glad it worked out. Maybe you should patent the design. If it works on a 31 it will work on other boats.

Ironworker · Post by **Ironworker** » Apr 29th, '25, 11:19

Tony Meola wrote: ↑Apr 28th, '25, 20:44 Rick

Glad it worked out. Maybe you should patent the design. If it works on a 31 it will work on other boats.

I'm too old for that. I'm happy to provide plans for anyone that wants to build one themselves (you folks have certainly helped me out and if I can return the favor, I'd be happy too). The side pieces are the only part that requires much thought. I can make a paper template available for those. The other pieces are basically just rectangles. You can make it wider or narrower. If anyone wants more photos I'm happy to provide them. There is certainly room for improvement.

If I build another one there are a couple of little tweaks I'll make but we are going to fish this one for a season to get the list together.

Carl · Post by **Carl** » May 1st, '25, 08:22

Tony Meola wrote: ↑Apr 28th, '25, 20:44 Maybe you should patent the design. If it works on a 31 it will work on other boats.

Patents can be expensive and unenforceable for the small guy. Items like this, get in and flood the market. Skim the cream before everyone else jumps on the bandwagon. Hopefully by then you have the next new design.

Or as Rick said...use n look at it in action finding ways to improve the next generation.

It is really nicely designed with slightly bowed out sides and radiused corners that offer character. Otherwise it would look like a Big Square Box sitting in the middle of the deck, I'd still work, but not look like it belongs.

Yannis · Post by **Yannis** » May 2nd, '25, 00:19

Does this box have any insulation?
I mean, any foam, or construction type foam (or other) panel? Sandwiched inside the ply sheets?
If not, how does it retain temps, as you describe?
Thanks.

Ironworker · Post by **Ironworker** » May 2nd, '25, 07:50

Yannis wrote: ↑May 2nd, '25, 00:19 Does this box have any insulation?
I mean, any foam, or construction type foam (or other) panel? Sandwiched inside the ply sheets?
If not, how does it retain temps, as you describe?
Thanks.

The outer construction is 1/4" coosa with one layer of 1708, basically used as a coring material to provide shape. There is a 1.5" XPS foam insulation then there are 3 layers of 1708 on the inside to protect the box from wahoo teeth and thrashing fish (three on bottom and sides and one layer on the top. I wanted to get the inside smooth for easy cleanup so we painted the inside with one coat of an extra hard table top epoxy with some blue pigment.

Note any resin that comes in contact with the XPS foam has to be epoxy. Poly resin deteriorates the foam while curing. I did use poly resin to build the box but then used epoxy when I added the XPS foam.

I was concerned about the box being efficient holding ice and I spent a fair amount of time and effort to build the lids front and back so they would be as airtight as possible. I also wanted it to be durable so I avoid weather stripping and just built a tight box lid.

Yannis · Post by **Yannis** » May 2nd, '25, 11:29

Thanx Rick,

Perfect, that's how I would imagine it too.

When I built my custom refrigerator/freezer, I had my glass guy construct an outer and inner shells with a void for insulation. The shell is only a few millimeters thick glass construction with gel coat on the visible sides. In the void we put layers of Dow foam panel, the green one they use in building insulation. The total thickness around the fridge is 10cm and around the freezer 15cm. The two separate top covers are 5cm thick, and the underneath contact surfaces of the lids, as they sit onto the main body, have a stick-on 3M elastic band/tape all around that is almost airtight.
I know of no other boater making ice cubes without external electricity or a generator.

You can see a few pics of my fridge toward the end of the thread "Solar panel on B28".

Ironworker · Post by **Ironworker** » May 2nd, '25, 17:00

Yannis,

I contemplated using expanding foam insulation but it would have increased weight. I would have had to add a bottom and I would have had to build a frame to keep the sides from bulging. I couldn't find the XPS foam in S. Florida. I had to drive up to South Carolina and I bought the foam up there. I'm going to use the XPS foam for some other projects. It's interesting stuff to work with. It has no structural value but it does hold shape. Epoxy/glass will stick to it and provide some structural rigidity. The XPS foam is cheap.