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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Micro wave mod.

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zeil
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1314 Posts

Initially Posted - 01/16/2010 : 19:42:03

Just completed this modification. This may not be for every one but... if you like spending time dockside and have shore power or a 1000 watt on board generator you'll enjoy this addition.

Want to use the cooler again...? just take out the friction fitted shelves, remove the partition with attached door and voila... the area is ready for the original cooler arrangement. The only screws to be removed are the door lock catch screw, (if required), and two partition to underside of the counter screws. Installation or removal & storing of the 4 components takes only a few minutes...

Main components... 2 teak lined shelves 1 partition and a door

800 watt Micro wave oven

View from the cockpit

Henk & Johanna
"Floating", a few off your "barnacles".
"Someday Lady" '95 C250WB #151 ('03 - 2016)
"Sea ya" 30ft Bayliner (04-2018 - 09-2018)
"Mariah" '96 C250WB #191 (05-2019 - 15-05-2023)
"Lady J" '00 C250WK #499 (05-2021 - 09-2022)

Edited by - zeil on 01/25/2010 20:20:32

SEAN
Admiral

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USA
772 Posts

Response Posted - 01/17/2010 : 23:16:15

Nice !!

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Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 01/18/2010 : 06:14:33

Henk, well planned and crafted.

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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 01/18/2010 : 10:14:49

Henk, I'd like to include your project in an upcoming Mainsheet Tech Tips article. I did a mod on my cooler area as well and I think the mods would make a good article. OK with you? I'd probably need a photo of the unit partially assembled to show how it goes together.

Anyone else mod their cooler area??

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britinusa
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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 01/18/2010 : 10:24:55

Very nice Henk,
Now where do you put the cooler?

Paul

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zeil
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1314 Posts

Response Posted - 01/19/2010 : 21:06:37

Paul: The cooler solution that works very well for us during weekend, monthly and our extended trips is a wheeled insulated shopping cart. The cart fits securely between the steps and the head's wall. In addition the cart double functioned occasionally for grocery shopping trips when we were moored some distance from a store. When sailing and in need of a "cool one', all we had to do was reach down and voila... The boat's standard cooler, (we did not use ice), was pretty well used exclusively for storage of the most frequently daily used items such as breakfast and lunch foods, drinks, snacks and nibble foods. Most of the time we obtained groceries to last us 4 to 7 days depending on the next location. The boat was provisioned to provide for the first little while fresh foods, followed by vacuum packed and finally canned goods. We also obtained non refrigerated vacuum packed 2% milk, eggs and other foods that did not require refrigeration. BTW we traveled one year without refrigeration...

Wheeled insulated shopping cart double functions as storage cooler

Storage and supply cooler

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zeil
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1314 Posts

Response Posted - 01/19/2010 : 22:48:23

According to Johanna the micro wave configuration provides MORE usable area including top shelf, bottom area and basket than the old cooler. The shelf is installed with a 11" clearance on top and 10.5" below which will (as in your fridge) accommodate most items. If so required one could install adjustable shelf hangers, however our objective was to complete this project with as few holes drilled into the fiberglass as possible. Eventually the basket will be replaced by something more attractive, hiding the contents.

The 4 main components are made using 3/8 vinyl covered plywood ($16.00 per 4x8 sheet) and edged with 3/4 or 5/8 x 1' teak trim. To make sure the micro wave shelf is sufficiently strong the shelf has a 1"x 3/4 teak trim. Door/shelf trim has a 1/4" deep grove to accommodate the 3/8 plywood. The plywood back side and edges including the underside of the existing counter top is sealed with 3 coats of satin clear exterior Varathene. You may wish to use hinges with removable pins instead of the piano hinge shown to separate and/or store components in a flat position.

Cardboard template used to obtain the exact contours of the bottom, top, and fiberglass wall for transcribing onto the plywood partition. Note that top and bottom parts of the cardboard were taped together once the final side/top/bottom contour was established.

Partition and shelf support. After the partition with door attached is installed both shelves will friction fit the partition in place. Closing the door and accurately lining up top and bottom clearance of the door with the counter side wall will indicate the "plumb", of the partition. Then secure the partition with two screws to the underside of the counter.

We chose to use the same as all existing boat hardware including a 1' access hole to the door lock. The 1/2 x 1/2 shelf support strips are leftovers from a previous project...

Edited by - zeil on 01/20/2010 20:07:48

britinusa
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5404 Posts

Response Posted - 01/20/2010 : 20:59:57

Awesome, now if only we could make a reverse microwave we would be in bidness.

Very nice work Henk.

You stated that you had 4 to 7 days of provisions... wow! When we go out for 4-5 nights, we seem to have ton of provisions.

On our last trip I was determined to overcome the 'Baggies' concept (you know: Let's move the bags over there so we can get to that space)

So I started to utilize the port and stbd lockers more effectivly, Basically got rid of at least 3 'Baggies', Stowed my clothes in a hanging basket under the port side of the fwd hatch.

We seem to have a heck of a lot of 'Stuff' on board for our trips.

Where you keep your trolley cooler, I have raised the supports for the hatch boards, that allows me to store a floating toolbox as the side of the steps but still allow the hatch board to be easily stowed.

The more I look at your project the more I like it.

Paul

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britinusa
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5404 Posts

Response Posted - 01/21/2010 : 07:26:45

Ok Henk, scrutinizing your pics... more questions:

Your galley fawcet looks different, I don't see the whale pump lever!

I don't see a strainer/plug in your sink, but is that a replacement sitting on the counter (we lost our strainer/plug and bought a replacement at west marine (surprise).

And those galley shelves over the rear of the counter, were they a mod?

Our 2005 WB has a slightly different galley layout. The stove is mounted in the counter where your top drawers are, so we do not have the top draws (but we do have a long thin 'ditty' draw under the aft end of the counter.

I have been looking for additional galley shelving, your's looks really good too.

You have to love it when members post pics. Thanks!

paul

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zeil
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1314 Posts

Response Posted - 01/22/2010 : 14:53:01

Paul: Glad you like the micro wave modification, it will be a nice and welcome addition plus... hopefully aid in our battle against moisture and condensation by eliminating some cooking vapors.

Our boat came equipped with a 12 volt water pump installed in the wet locker including a push button tap which will drain the tank in a hurry!! (just kidding) We too lost the strainer and should obtain a new one. Are they costly and readily available??

To deal with food storage for extended trips plus have some extra staples on board we use the starboard settee coaming storage area. There are 3 approximately 14x24x4" plastic trays that fit snugly and are filled to capacity with all kinds of food stuff. Extra bottles are stored in sea boots in the wet locker and some fresh veggies and fruits in the head's sink.

The port side is used only and exclusively with stuff stored in plastic 14x24x4" trays with extra lines, ropes, spare anchor, chain & rode, fishing tackle, coverall, rags, spare parts, couple of filled tool pouches, tape, glue, fixing and repair stuff, battery loader, ballast battery and manual pumps, gin pole, parasol, tent, tarp, Velcro rolls, foldaway chairs, mast aft support and all kinds of miscellaneous with some stuff protruding well into the V berth. Below the V berth we store cases of bottled water, spare warm clothing, bedding and once in awhile used miscellaneous items...

The teak shelf with fiddle modification, completed several years ago, adds handy storage of daily frequently used items. Notice that the shelf is supported on the back by 3 small aluminum clips hooked behind and resting on the teak hull molding (without drilling) while the front is supported by 1" alum chromed pipe friction fit to the shelf and bolted on the bottom to the Plexiglas counter rail. Make the shelf size to fit your own preference, put things close to your finger tips and un-clutter your counter top

Teak galley shelf with fiddle... note: the cup hooks mounted to the bottom were later removed.

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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 01/25/2010 : 20:45:53

Here is where to get that strainer.

[url="http://www.catalinadirect.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=1325"]Strainer from Catalina Direct[/url]

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britinusa
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5404 Posts

Response Posted - 01/29/2010 : 07:35:19

The Strainer is also available in the bigger west marine stores (we got ours in Fort Lauderdale, it was about $8.00)

Paul

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