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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Slide out cooler modification

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mikesuej
Navigator

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USA
119 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/07/2010 : 19:16:40

Well - this turned out pretty well after all. I still have to add some teak trim above and below stainless steel drawer slides (120 pound capacity) and a locking latch when the cooler is pulled out and stowed under, but this sure makes life on boat easier and I got a bit of extra space underneat the slide out shelf. Still thinking about how I'm goint to drain it easily to bilge and then out, but here's a start: the 3/4" starboard slide out platform by itself http://seatitude.intuitwebsites.com/shelf_closed_op_640x480.jpg
With the Yeti 35 qt. cooler http://seatitude.intuitwebsites.com/cooler_stowed_op_640x480.jpg
and with the cooler in accessible position http://seatitude.intuitwebsites.com/cooler_out_op_640x480.jpg
I'm thinking about hooking up directly a elbow/valve attached to drain plug, then fed through the sliding platform, down through the fiberglass and to the bilge. Just twist open the cooler drain and the water flows directly through a tube to the bilge pump.

Michael T. Janocik
Seatitude

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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5352 Posts

Response Posted - 08/07/2010 : 20:17:49

Michael,
Beautiful job.

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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 08/07/2010 : 21:58:13

Nicely done and a good option for a larger cooler even if you don't connect the drain to the bilge. I like it!

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Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 08/08/2010 : 14:20:34

Very nice Mike! Any thoughts about using a flexible hose with a valve and plumb the cooler drain in with the sink drain. That would keep your bilge dry. Of course you would need to keep the valve closed when heeling to starboard.

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mikesuej
Navigator

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USA
119 Posts

Response Posted - 08/08/2010 : 14:29:16

Tom - great to hear from you and thank you very much for taking such great care of your boat. Yes and "no." Maybe you could help. I thought about that, but was wondering if the throughull is lower than the exit valve on the cooler. I need to check that out because that's what I would like to do. I would then install a check valve between the cooler drain and the sink drain so water from sink can't drain out into my cooler. Then thinking about it, i thought it would be easier just to run a line to the bilge. But then decided maybe that's not the best solution. So next time I'm at the boat, I'll take a look and see if the cooler drain is higher than the thruhull.

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SEAN
Admiral

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USA
772 Posts

Response Posted - 08/09/2010 : 06:19:09

Great job Mike ,

Were did you find the strong slides ?? and how do you keep it in when sailing ??

on our boat for the drain ..
i hooked ours up to a 3 way valve ..(we also have a foot pump for the gally sink )
so when its time to to drain the cooler i throw the valve and it will pull from the cooler ..and empty in the sink /from the faucet

also i made a little 90` fitting to pull all the water out inside the cooler ..
great mod !!

Edited by - SEAN on 08/09/2010 06:21:54

mikesuej
Navigator

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USA
119 Posts

Response Posted - 08/09/2010 : 07:41:29

Here is the part number on the stainless steel drawer slide http://www.drawerslides.com/p/sugatsune-est-4513.14 I like the idea of splicing into the sink, but doesn't it take a long time to pump out, say, 30 quarts of water with a foot pump?

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mikesuej
Navigator

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USA
119 Posts

Response Posted - 08/09/2010 : 10:34:25

Regarding keeping the cooler locked in and out, I am going to secure a small block of starboard material to the left hand side side just under the shelf, and screw it in with fender washers from inside the galley cabinet. I'll then drill a 1/4" hole through the shelf near the front and down through that starboard block. I'll pull the cooler out, then drill another hole through the rear portion of the shelf. A 1/4" stainless steel pin will then be used to secure the shelf both closed and open. I'll counter sink the starboard block so that when you put the pin in through the shelf, it will be piloted down to the 1/4" hole so alignment won't have to be perfect. Here's a pic. http://seatitude.intuitwebsites.com/coolercatch.pdf

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mikesuej
Navigator

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USA
119 Posts

Response Posted - 08/09/2010 : 10:37:39

I chose the left hand side because to access the cooler, it will be rather difficult to lean over to the right hand side to put the pin in while the cooler is all the way out. On the left hand side, it's easy to access the pin whether shelf is in or out.

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SEAN
Admiral

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USA
772 Posts

Response Posted - 08/09/2010 : 13:35:29

thanks for the part #

its not too bad pumping out ..a minute or two ..

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.