refrigeration on a 42 ft steel yacht

Hi, I would love some advice on what I need in the way of refrigeration on a 42ft steel yacht, planning to eventually go offshore. What system works the best ie 12volt/ compressor driven off the motor/ LPG/ etc. Also what size would be ideal for fridge and freezer? What sort of construction for the fridge and freezer? Whats the most efficient? do you need salt water surrounding the freezer to keep it cooler for longer? How much insulation/ type etc?
Any thoughts on this would be much appreciated?
I have a 3way ie (gas/12v/240v) camping fridge/freezer are these suitable for use on a yacht?
thanks

 

Refrigeration is a pain in the *** no matter how you do it. It is really expensive, noisy and not worth the trouble usually. The power required means running smelly, noisy generators a good part of the day - and for what: Keeping leftovers cold? Cream for coffee? Eggs?

Now if we are talking cold beer, that is another story.

Adjusting food selection and planning menus around food that isn't instantly perishable is a better choice. Fresh foods are generally bought in port and eaten quickly. Net bags storing fruit and vegetables work fine. Look at what people living in your cruising area are eating - there are good reasons why.

A freezer of some type, insulated well beyond residential standards combined with an ice box may be a better choice - it will allow provisioning infrequently in a cheap port, once a season. Attach a serious value to the number of times a day the reefer is opened.

Living aboard and cruising requires a serious mindset change, as residential land dwelling mentalities about conveniences like refrigerators, washer/dryers, air conditioning and fresh water usage really need re-education and adjustment.

For some reason, people always need to learn these lessons the hard way, and rarely listen to advice. Unless you have won a lottery, you'll come around.

--
Bill

 

Even though the technology has come a long way since I moonlighted installing aftermarket marine refrigeration, The icebox idea has a lot of merit. If you can build an icebox that will keep 4 people's food and beer cold all weekend on a 50 pound block, you now have a box that will be worth putting a mechanical regrigeration unit into. Minimum 4 inches best quality urethane foam all around, including the hatch. 6 inches would be better if you plan on using it for a freezer. I think if you will be out less than a week use ice. One to two weeks, a small DC unit begins to make sense-you will be able to store more food since the box won't have to be half full of ice to start. Out more than that, freezers come into their own, for reasons mentiond above. Long story short, start with the best insulated icebox you can build, use it that way until your cruising habits make the upgrade necessary. Check these folks out.

Let the sun power your fridge
http://www.mrsolar.com/page/MSOS/CTGY/rv

justly popular small DC units
http://www.danfoss.com/BusinessArea...fossCompressors/DC_Application_Notes_News.htm

legendary quality and price, but their ready-made hatches make sense
http://www.glacierbay.com/products/hatches.html

New principle for DC refrigeration in small boxes building a good rep in Japan and Africa.
http://fpsc.twinbird.jp/en/index.html

 

Another reputable manufacturer:
http://www.climma.co.uk/