Project: Convert Top Storage to Ice Chest??

peakay

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Aug 21, 2009
Messages
33
Hey there,

We have an old 1987 Chris Craft Scorpion 210 Bowrider and it has a flip up compartment for storing the old convertible top that we no longer use and I got the idea it make a neat cooler if it could be sealed up. Would be cool at the dock or anchored to have beer and wine in there when entertaining as we don't have much storage and a cooler takes up valuable floor space. The sealing up part would be imperative though as the batteries reside underneath.

See photo below.

This photo isnt great, but what I'd have to do is seal the holes on each side, add a drain, (probably to the bilge), and seal up the wood that is in there. the vertical, vinyl covered piece in the front is thin plywood and there is also a small wood piece in the bottom of this cavity.

Questions:

- What would be the best way to seal up the wood pieces in there so everything is waterproof? Fiberglass?

- Any reason why i shoudl absolutley not do this?

- Any alternative ideas? I thought if I could find a low, wide tray that fit in here it would make it easier, but I don't know where to find such a thing.

20160601_140636_HDR_zpsmq243qwv.jpg
 

Bondo

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
71,088
Questions:

- What would be the best way to seal up the wood pieces in there so everything is waterproof? Fiberglass?

- Any reason why i shoudl absolutley not do this?

Ayuh,..... Alittle glass, 'n resin would seal it up nicely,.....

The draw-back is, I'm guessin' you'll need another cooler fulla Ice, to keep ice in that uninsulated cooler,....

It has alota surface area for the amount of cubic space it offers,....

Aka:, Alotta heat loss area, or in this case, Coolness Loss area,.....
 

Bayou Dave

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Dec 13, 2012
Messages
1,780
Sitting right above the engine would melt any ice pretty quickly. Maybe a low cooler on either side of the doghouse would work.
 

peakay

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Aug 21, 2009
Messages
33
Thanks guys. Sorry for the delayed reply, but I don't seem to get email updates via iboats. Yea, after giving this more thought i think we'll just keep it for extra line storage, etc. I will looks for some long trays though as an occasional option.
 
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