Before reading on, please take a moment to fill out this week’s survey so we can share your thoughts and experiences with the Cruising Compass family.
Have you ever been in a full gale or a storm at sea with sustained winds over 40 knots?
May thanks to all readers who took the time to fill out last week’s survey on freezers. Of those who replied, 64% have a dedicated freezer on their boats. Of those 54% say it works very well, 34% say quite well and 12% say not very well. 51% say their freezer was original equipment in their boats, 38% retrofitted their freezers and 11% use a stand-alone freezer box such as an Engel or Dometic.
Asked to comment on how to get the best from an onboard freezer readers mentioned: 1. Insulation is key; 2. open the lid as seldom as possible; 3. use a digital thermostat controller with a timer; 4. keep it full; 5 use foam blocks to fill air space as it empties; 6. stack food for the order of use so you don’t have to leave lid open as you search; 7. defrost the freezer plate(s) regularly; 8, keep the keel-cooler clean, if you have one; 9. make sure the compressor is getting maximum voltage so it runs efficiently; 10. make sure the lid seals are air tight all around.
