S3#35 What!! Upright Fridge for Portofino 52 - WHY?? + We go back to our Leopard 45 after 8 months

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Join the Barefoot Doctors as we discuss the controversial concept of having an UPRIGHT FRIDGE / FREEZER on a performance sailing cat, the Portofino 52. We share our experiences with the standard supplied marine Vitrifrigo fridges with their specifications and compare them to commercially available fridge freezers - the results will astound you - they certainly did for us!!!
It affects all sailing yachties that spend more than a month on their boats at a time... It certainly looks like the REAL FACTS about the marine fridges are not disclosed fully and apart from convenience of installation, why are so many yacht manufacturers using these fridges??? We just do not understand and want to know if there is some facts that we do not know about - please fill us in if our calculations are wrong or if we have missed something...
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[@mrmped1]

Some things to think about. The residential fridge dumps it's heat into the living space and when it goes into defrost mode every night, it dumps the water into a condensate tray underneath. You may have to modify the fridge by running the condensate hose over the side or into the bilge.

[@MrJerobona]

You are totally right! All those Marine freezer and refrigerators are ridiculously expensive and do not last! So much easier to buy regular household appliances they are more trouble-free and way cheaper! BUT do not buy Samsung, they are pure disaster!

[@donrichards7173]

We have a large domestic Samsung f/f on our leopard. Straps to hold doors and drawers while underway but fine at anchor/berth. So far so good.

[@mangowalter8239]

Oh my goodness! That’s insane to have that much ice buildup after a few weeks in those overpriced fridge and freezer. I agree with your assessment, John. When you showed pictures of the Portofino I fell in love with the fridge! My last 45’ Class A Coach had a residential Samsung fridge and it was so nice. The ice maker was a workhorse and the available room inside was a game changer! You are gonna be so happy and have more time for snorkeling. ☺️

[@marktaylor484]

The marine industry has a lot to answer for and I agree wholeheartedly with you on the fridge/freezers' issues. I'm guessing that the fridges are marine steel/aluminium graded and about the only thing a domestic fridge/freezer combo might lack is the locking catches which would be useful in a heavy seaway.

[@Matt-zk5kj]

Domestic fridges work great on the Bali's. Cheap to replace too. Painted finish stay looking great and I have seen some who have added a wrap which has an endless variety of colour choices.

[@bill2292]

Hi John, The single best change we made on our 50 was installing a regular home style 110v fridge-freezer. No more defrosting and no more unloading the box to get to what's on the bottom! We considered a full size 4 door but settled on more modest one so it wouldn't dominate our salon. Seems to use the same amount of power as our Vitrifrigo that was less than half the size.

[@w8stral]

Oh, regarding power calculations: The Devil is in the details on those retail refrigerators: They lie(technically they don't) on their shiny borchures. The only question is HOW. How many times was it opened and closed? Unknown. What is ambient exterior temperature? Unknown. How many kg of food/drinks are added in their calculation? Unknown. Some, have VASTLY superior insulation/seals(some have double magnetic seals) than other refrigerator freezers. They also weigh a LOT more. LG, GE, Bosch, Electrolux, Kitchen Aid, Samsung, Frigidaire, etc are ALL identical and all have single seals and are ~junk. They all get identical parts from China or Mexico and assemble them. IF you want reliablility do NOT get an ice maker in them. Sorry, for a true refrig that lasts, you have to pony up $$$ and it will set you back $10k. Dear God... I just looked at Sub Zero price and they want $15k+ There are other insane options out there but... they at least work.

[@seawench555]

Yah ur Back, I'm whole again.🤣Hi to all the Exp Barfoot tribe, I've missed all the comments. I'm So happy ur both Back on Expedition BareFoot. Ok the bloody freezer, does it not have a thermostat dial for cooling levels? I bought a 150 litre upright 4 way marine fridge for $3000, and the dam reset button didn't work, so when u turn it off then on from 1 power input to another being 12v battery, solar, lpg and 240v Aus and now it won't work at all, needless to say I'm P!$$€D Off. So $45 later for new reset button and it works but ur both absolutely right, these fridge freezers are ridiculously expensive for the VERY poor manufacturing quality. Great informative presentation, so good to hear ur voice Eli. U both look well, but weary. So where are we Adventuring to next.? And I've had an epifany (Solar Sails) we gotta manufacture them before anyone else does🤣 love yas both🇦🇺🌈🏳️‍🌈🐳

[@JourneyofaFisherman]

Marine fridges, over priced for what they are. In 20 years of running boats marine drawer fridge would have caused the most hassles from anything else. Easy to find and replace a domestic fridge.

[@MikeJohnson-bu4gl]

Fully agree with your choice of a side by side...would prefer LG...the only thing that you did not mention is the evaporation space for the frost free part of the operation...the amount by the maker is not enough for the marine environment....

[@sailingstpommedeterre4905]

I also have a Vitrofrigo (2-drawer, Model No. DW180 Freezer/Frig). I am glad you made this video, because I have the same frustration that the Freezer is not Frost-Free. Also, the stainless steel chosen must be simple SS302, which will corrode in the marine environmen.

[@gregvaughn4286]

That was a good video, I've seen that in motels with that small fridge and microwave that they offer. Thanks!

[@stephenmurray9850]

Most of the time it is the back of the fridge that needs to be carefully looked at. This is where most of the rust (from condensation ) would happen. The good thing (which I hope still happens) is domestic fridges last a lifetime or just about. Mine I bought second hand 20 years ago and is still going great. ( in a house environment though) . Good luck with your new boat. Thanks for the video.

[@juergenzenner4219]

Your arguments just make sense!!!

[@kptbillburkett8735]

And I have ben saying this for years. The Domestic refrigerator freezer is better than the marine freezers and refrigerators. For cats it works but for a Monahall you most likely don't have the space.

[@mtrezaie]

Well, you make a lot of sense. I am commenting to come back to this and learn what others would say.

[@jeffalexander544]

When cleaning stainless steel, always wide with the direction of the grain. Thanks for the great video!

[@dreamofsailing]

Very logical points!👍

[@clivestainlesssteelwomble7665]

The other news i wanted to point out to you is a bunch of researchers have developed a passive solar desalinator that doesnt clog up and can produce significant amounts of fresh water at below US tap water costs.