www.iFourWinns.com

I'm going to replace the icemaker in the cockpit with a fridge. We just don't need/use the icemaker. It would be a lot more convenient to have a fridge (and that's fridge only, no freezer compartment).

I seem to recall at least one other 348/358 owner that had a fridge up in the cockpit already. Care to chime in with the make and model of it?

The icemaker in there now is a U-Line WH95TP and it works great. It's 13 13/16 wide by 24 3/4" tall and 17" deep. So whatever replacement I get would have to be close to the same size. I believe the cabinet space could accommodate another 2" wider but barely an inch taller.

So before I go and look up a ton of stuff I figure it's worth askin' here.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

Txvista has a fridge in place of where his ice maker is...it's a 328 though.

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Current Boat:
2004 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer "Nauti Luvin'"

Previous Boats:
1999 298 Vista "Seas The Day"
2008 H200SS "Nauti Luv"
2006 Tahoe Q4

I just replaced our fridge and put in a norcold that was about 15.25" wide. I think the model was a DE041. It was the narrowest unit I could find. Very happy with it.

FW was using waeco when our boat was built but since then waeco has either gone out of business or were sold. We tried getting parts for our old fridge but the replacement norcold was cheaper.

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Jnizi

2007 Vista 338 "Better Yet"
Previously:
2007 Vista 258 " Just Right"
2005 Horizon 230

Thanks. Did you have to put in a filler panel to deal with the size change? The icemaker in there is 13.5" x 24.5". I'm not seeing any fridges that would fit in that sized hole.

What's additionally bothersome is I'm not finding any fridge-only units. All seem to come as a fridge with the utterly useless freezer section. I just want a plain fridge without a freezer.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

The icemaker in there now is a U-Line WH95TP and it works great. It's 13 13/16 wide by 24 3/4" tall and 17" deep. So whatever replacement I get would have to be close to the same size. I believe the cabinet space could accommodate another 2" wider but barely an inch taller. FW was using waeco when our boat was built but since then waeco has either gone out of business or were sold. We tried getting parts for our old fridge but the replacement norcold was cheaper.

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Deleted by admin. No spam.

I did a few modifications. The Admiral did not like having the extra door so I removed it and reversed the magnetic catch to the other side.

I did also add the vents to allow for better air flow. An HVAC guy thought we cooked the last one but it being air starved.



Took about 2 hours total.

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Jnizi

2007 Vista 338 "Better Yet"
Previously:
2007 Vista 258 " Just Right"
2005 Horizon 230

I have the factory fridge in the cockpit. It is a combo fridge with freezer. According to FW parts catalog for 2007 it was a DOMETIC #74802.030.00. They still don't have a 2008 parts catalog.

I'll take a look next weekend to see if that's the actual model. It works great and hold a lot of cans. The freezer is usually filled with bottled water and we drink them as they thaw.

My fridge is AC/DC so you may need to run the DC lines up there. I'm guessing your ice maker is AC only.

If you go to the FW site under past model and look at the 2009 second page of photos, you can see my fridge model:

http://www.fourwinns.com/2009/model/V358/photos_video

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2008 V358 Two-tone Blue V/P Dual Prop 320 HP
Lake Winnipesaukee, NH

I sent an e-mail to FW and they told me it was a Dometic, but not the model number. From their website it looks like it's one of the CR series. I'd prefer to get as large a unit as possible.

Good point about reversing the magnetic catch. I noticed if I got a wider unit I'd have to move that catch. I don't mind the door. But you're right about the heat. FW has put in a vent in later models. I've seen one style with a vent tucked in behind the grab handle in front of the sink. I will likely add one myself.

Yes, it's AC only now so I'll have to pull a DC line. I don't recall their being a breaker for it on the DC side, so that'll be another issue too. I'd likely just do one inside the nearby locker instead of trying to finagle it into the existing panel (which is full).

The biggest hassle I'm going to have is the icemaker is much taller than most replacement fridges. So I'm going to have to see about covering up the space. I might set the fridge low and do a vent above it. Or a grill below and then add the vent behind the handle. That might be better as it would encourage upward convection.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

Hi Bill,

FYI, I added the vents behind the rail and on the next level. The boat did not come with those but I saw this done and the following years model. Cheap and easy to do.

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Jnizi

2007 Vista 338 "Better Yet"
Previously:
2007 Vista 258 " Just Right"
2005 Horizon 230

interesting ideas. we have inverse problem as we use it for freezer space and not for icemaking. turns out the icemaker circuit can go inot a mode when not used that can shut compressor off. I now disabled. But my next plan is to remove the icemaker portion altogether and give us more space.

Possibility: see how cold (or not cold) it gets when you adjust the thermostat all the way up. maybe could work as a refigerator and just remove the icemaker? could talk to U-line product support, they were very helpful to me in sending schematic. This way you convert to refrigerator without yanking the unit , spending money, making mechanical/elect mods. Just a thought..don't know if it will work.

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2006 348 Vista
"Cruisin Home"
Hampton NH

That's an interesting idea. However, the icemaker only runs on 110vAC, not 12vDC. I'd like it to be able to stay running when we're underway, or anchored without the generator running. So a combo AC/DC unit would be a better solution. But when I'm down at the boat next time I'll give it a try, can't hurt.

I don't know how easily you could remove the icemaker portion. In combo fridge/freezer setups you can't easily remove the freezer section as refrigerant runs around the freezer box. I don't know if the refrigerant line runs through the icemaker portion. If it's just the water line and power for the cube remover then maybe it'd be possible. The cube remover (or whatever it's called) heats the tray slightly to loosen the cubes and then turns a paddle to dump them out.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

You could install an inverter so it will run off 12 or 24 volt.

I have studied the design and it is possible to remove the icemaker portion. the refigerant goes around the box, not through the icemaker portion. the icemaker does have a small heating element underside but that is part of the icemaker and becomes disconnected when I disconnect the cables to icemaker. I just have to install a jumper wire across connector to simulate the switches for freezer to run in normal mode.

Probably won't run warm enough to be a refrig but thought you may want to explore.

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2006 348 Vista
"Cruisin Home"
Hampton NH

Hey Bill, that little freezer in our cockpit fridge isn't entirely useless, it works well to throw a couple cans of beer into for a while just before you want to consume them.

Our cockpit fridge in our 328 is a isotherm by Indel Marine and is a Ac Dc unit. It has a vent at the bottom of the unit and about a 5 inch hole at the back of the unit that vents into our port side lounge seat.

Maybe Indel Marine would have a unit for you or offer other options if they are still in business?

Mike

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Current Boat
- 2001 Four Winns 328 Vista "Hour Decision"
- 2010 310 Mercury Inflatable

Previous Boats
- 30' Doral Prestancia
- 25' Doral Citation

Hey Mike,

Would you happen to know the model and/or dimensions of your Isotherm fridge? I'd like to look into what it would take to switch the completely useless ice maker to a fridge on my 328. I'm on the Indel site, but I need more information in order to select the correct fridge.

Thanks - Allen

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Insane Desire - My 2000 328 Vista...and my state of mind

Buy the isotherm from Defender. I bought a CR-65 for our 282 from them 2 years ago. It arrived in 3 days and was a just a plug n' play installation. Their prices when I bought mine were better than direct. I suspect Mikes' fridge may be the CR42. Isotherm makes the best fridges in the industry, hands down.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy