Adding foam insulation

[chuckwayne]

Last summer as the temperature rose I found that the AB freezer/fridge on our Hunter 380 was running almost continuously. After picking peoples' brains on the big boats forum and talking to other people, we concluded that draining all the gas and recharging, filling some of the space inside the f/f with styrofoam and opening the access less frequently would get us through the season. It did, although the battery drain continued at a higher rate than we like.We decided that during the off season we would add as much insulation as space permits around the outside of the f/f compartments. I assume that that because of the location and resultant access problems that it will be best to spray in some foam. What I would like is advice about the kind of foam to use, any specialized equipment that might be required and any special issues (such as potential damage from expansion) that one should guard against. Thank you.

 

[Scott Burns]

Try a Space blanket

I have a H25.5 with a built in ice box. I sail Maine and do not have a mechanical means to keep items cool for long period of times without dropping addition ice. Some where along my travels someone said use a space blanket. I did and I have had twoo blocks and a bag of cubes last a week.

 

[Charles]

Try RParts

Try the link to RParts, they post studies they have done on different types of Refer insulation and which ones are best. They were a great deal of help when I did my Refer upgrade.

 

[Dennis Thomas]

Non-expanding foam and a long long tube

A couple of years ago I added insulation in my Catalina 36. It’s an 83 model and had NO insulation other than a quarter inch on the inside of the lids. I used the non-expanding foam from Home Depot. I bought several feet of small diameter water line to reach the back side gap between the box and the hull and the wall beside the oven. The water line is small enough to replace the plastic “straw” tube that comes with the foam. Cut a length that will reach from where ever you can crawl then hold the hose tightly to the nozzle. The pressure from the long tube will try to pop the hose off.In the areas I could reach I added a layer of half inch closed cell foam then two layers of the foil backed half inch wall Styrofoam. I sealed everything with a shot of the foam then taped the corners and gaps with aluminum tape.I am planning to add insulation inside the box to line the top surface. There is no gap beneath the counter that could be filled with foam. At the same time I will add more to the lids. I’m still deciding exactly how I will do it. What I have done had helped but there must be some gaps in the foam in hard to reach places. I get mold on certain spots that are cooler than the surrounding area.S/V Anodyne