I recently purchased a 2002 Hunter 356 and I am just learning my way around all the "surprises" that come with exploring a new boat (new to me). In that regard, has anyone experienced condensation build up on the wall between the space under the sink and the freezer cold plate? That wall seems to be always damp and has water stains on it. I keep the freezer/refrigerator on all the time because I don't want to take everything out each time I leave the boat. Any advice?
Freezer Condensation
- Thread starter DanoDano
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Air gaps...
There are air gaps between the insulation on the refer and the insulation in the plastic cover. That allows the air to condensate, and then leak down. I think it is a problem with most 356's. I took off the plastic cover, and put new insulation in it without the gap, and it fixed the problem. I think Hunter used expanding foam, and it sunk down after it cured, causing a large air gap. I used 1" hard insulation sheets, and then put the expanding foam in the edges. After it cured, I used a hacksaw blade to trim it down to a good fit. I also covered the new insulation with a plastic sheet held in place with a silicon seal. It only took a day or so, and most of the mess was pulling the old stuff out of the plastic. If you have any gaps in the refer side, use expanding insulation and trim it flat. I would also suggest that you clean off all the wood with a bleach solution to get rid of any mold, and then some type of finish over the wood. That take a little longer, as the wood has to dry completely after the bleach. Steve
There are air gaps between the insulation on the refer and the insulation in the plastic cover. That allows the air to condensate, and then leak down. I think it is a problem with most 356's. I took off the plastic cover, and put new insulation in it without the gap, and it fixed the problem. I think Hunter used expanding foam, and it sunk down after it cured, causing a large air gap. I used 1" hard insulation sheets, and then put the expanding foam in the edges. After it cured, I used a hacksaw blade to trim it down to a good fit. I also covered the new insulation with a plastic sheet held in place with a silicon seal. It only took a day or so, and most of the mess was pulling the old stuff out of the plastic. If you have any gaps in the refer side, use expanding insulation and trim it flat. I would also suggest that you clean off all the wood with a bleach solution to get rid of any mold, and then some type of finish over the wood. That take a little longer, as the wood has to dry completely after the bleach. Steve
Air Gaps Response......
Steve, Thanks for the reply. When you say "air gaps between the insulation on the refer and the insulation in the plastic cover", to which plastic cover are you referring? Are you talking about the covers on top of the freezer and refrigerator? And more specifically, the cover on the top of the refrigerator? I want to be sure I'm "attacking" the right plastic cover. Thanks, Dan
Steve, Thanks for the reply. When you say "air gaps between the insulation on the refer and the insulation in the plastic cover", to which plastic cover are you referring? Are you talking about the covers on top of the freezer and refrigerator? And more specifically, the cover on the top of the refrigerator? I want to be sure I'm "attacking" the right plastic cover. Thanks, Dan
Right Cover...
Dan, Open the doors below the sink. Look to starboard on the side, and there is a black plastic cover. You will have to remove the shelf to take it out, but it is held on by about 8 screws. That is where my was. Thinking about it, Hunter also had a number of boats that did not have the insulation for the refer/freezer applied properly. As I recall, they fixed the boats that complained about it, but did not put out a notice. If your condensation is in other places than on the boards under the sink area, yours might be one of those boats that never got fixed. If you need more info on what I did, send an email from the owner's area with a phone number and I can give you call. You have a good boat, but they all have a few little things to fix. Good luck, Steve
Dan, Open the doors below the sink. Look to starboard on the side, and there is a black plastic cover. You will have to remove the shelf to take it out, but it is held on by about 8 screws. That is where my was. Thinking about it, Hunter also had a number of boats that did not have the insulation for the refer/freezer applied properly. As I recall, they fixed the boats that complained about it, but did not put out a notice. If your condensation is in other places than on the boards under the sink area, yours might be one of those boats that never got fixed. If you need more info on what I did, send an email from the owner's area with a phone number and I can give you call. You have a good boat, but they all have a few little things to fix. Good luck, Steve
Right Cover...
Steve, I am out of town this weekend, but I will look under the sink for the cover when I return on Monday. If I have a problem i will contact you. Again, thanks for the assistance. Regards, Dan
Steve, I am out of town this weekend, but I will look under the sink for the cover when I return on Monday. If I have a problem i will contact you. Again, thanks for the assistance. Regards, Dan
Mine Too
I spent the day at the boat today scaping and sanding the keel in prep for bottom painting. I checked the cabinet side panel under the black plastic cover and found the water stain you were talking about. This does seem to be a common problem on the Hunter 356. Another project to add to the list. Current mystery is finding a leak that continues to fill up my bilge while the boat is on the hard? Found one leak a couple of months ago in the stearing linkage pan behind the helm. Fixed that one but there must be more. Never had this problem when the bimini and dodger were up. Bob R. Unfurled 2002 H356
I spent the day at the boat today scaping and sanding the keel in prep for bottom painting. I checked the cabinet side panel under the black plastic cover and found the water stain you were talking about. This does seem to be a common problem on the Hunter 356. Another project to add to the list. Current mystery is finding a leak that continues to fill up my bilge while the boat is on the hard? Found one leak a couple of months ago in the stearing linkage pan behind the helm. Fixed that one but there must be more. Never had this problem when the bimini and dodger were up. Bob R. Unfurled 2002 H356
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