CaspersCruiser
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 11, 2016
- Messages
- 919
- Fluid Motion Model
- R-27 Classic
- Hull Identification Number
- FMLT2709G112
- Vessel Name
- Cookie
- MMSI Number
- 368203460
The primary use of our 2012 R27 is cruising. And when we cruise, we eat well on Ranger Tug “Cookie.”
The tiny freezer section of the Novakool refrigerator on our boat did not allow us to provision the way we wanted. I researched portable freezers and in June of last year, I purchased an Engel MT22F 22-quart top-opening refrigerator/freezer. I found it to be the best combination of freezer volume, footprint size, and power consumption for the limited space and house battery capacity on my boat.
After a year with it, I have enough experience to say it’s one of the best improvements I’ve made to the boat in the five years I’ve owned it. Engels are not cheap, but they are very well-made and durable. I got lucky and purchased mine on sale for $750. They’re now $1000.
The Engel MT22F can be used as a refrigerator OR a freezer, but not both at the same time. When cruising, we use it exclusively as a freezer. We sometimes prepare entrées at home then vacuum seal and freeze them before a cruise. The Engel keeps them frozen solid until we are ready for them on the boat. Then we combine fresh vegetables and a salad with the entrée for a nice meal on the boat. In addition to frozen pre-made entrées, we keep hamburger patties, boneless chicken breasts, French fries, meatballs, and ice cream in the Engel freezer.
An unexpected bonus to having the Engel on board is that, in addition to food, the Engel has space for a couple of gallon ziplock bags of ice that I make in the freezer section of the Novakool refrigerator. Keeping the Engel topped full with the bags of ice also improves its performance and reduces run time. The Novakool freezer section is the perfect size to hold two silicone ice trays that make eight large cocktail-size cubes each. In a drink, those large cubes last longer than the same volume of smaller ice cubes so less ice is consumed. I have not bought one bag of ice since putting the Engel freezer on the boat.
These are the ice cube trays I use:
https://www.amazon.com/Silicone-Whiskey ... TQ5DZ?th=1
I installed the Engel freezer on the right side of the cuddy footwell. I ran the 12V power cable in plastic conduit along the side of the cuddy footwell to the helm edge frame and then up the inside of the frame to a 12V plug I installed where the Garmin VHF radio used to be. Before I bought the Engel, I removed the Garmin VHF radio from its completely awful location on lower helm panel and replaced it with an Icom 506 that I located on top of the helm. The resulting hole from removing the Garmin VHF was a perfect place to install two 12V power plugs. I intend to paint the panel in which the 12V plugs are mounted another color, but I haven’t gotten around to it. Next to the freezer are stacked drawers containing boat maintenance items. On the floor of the footwell is a set of tools in a case.
Having the Engel in the cuddy footwell provides easy access when making meals or getting ice. During the day when the cuddy is not being used for sleeping, we remove and stack the center cuddy cushions to allow access to the Engel and to provide better airflow for it. We do not use a topper in our cuddy so moving the cushions is no problem. I will address our cuddy cushion configuration in another forum post.
The arrangement of having the freezer in the cuddy footwell may not appeal to some, but it works great for us. It’s nice to have meal options that allow us to eat well when anchored or in slipped at a marina without appealing food options.
The tiny freezer section of the Novakool refrigerator on our boat did not allow us to provision the way we wanted. I researched portable freezers and in June of last year, I purchased an Engel MT22F 22-quart top-opening refrigerator/freezer. I found it to be the best combination of freezer volume, footprint size, and power consumption for the limited space and house battery capacity on my boat.
After a year with it, I have enough experience to say it’s one of the best improvements I’ve made to the boat in the five years I’ve owned it. Engels are not cheap, but they are very well-made and durable. I got lucky and purchased mine on sale for $750. They’re now $1000.
The Engel MT22F can be used as a refrigerator OR a freezer, but not both at the same time. When cruising, we use it exclusively as a freezer. We sometimes prepare entrées at home then vacuum seal and freeze them before a cruise. The Engel keeps them frozen solid until we are ready for them on the boat. Then we combine fresh vegetables and a salad with the entrée for a nice meal on the boat. In addition to frozen pre-made entrées, we keep hamburger patties, boneless chicken breasts, French fries, meatballs, and ice cream in the Engel freezer.
An unexpected bonus to having the Engel on board is that, in addition to food, the Engel has space for a couple of gallon ziplock bags of ice that I make in the freezer section of the Novakool refrigerator. Keeping the Engel topped full with the bags of ice also improves its performance and reduces run time. The Novakool freezer section is the perfect size to hold two silicone ice trays that make eight large cocktail-size cubes each. In a drink, those large cubes last longer than the same volume of smaller ice cubes so less ice is consumed. I have not bought one bag of ice since putting the Engel freezer on the boat.
These are the ice cube trays I use:
https://www.amazon.com/Silicone-Whiskey ... TQ5DZ?th=1
I installed the Engel freezer on the right side of the cuddy footwell. I ran the 12V power cable in plastic conduit along the side of the cuddy footwell to the helm edge frame and then up the inside of the frame to a 12V plug I installed where the Garmin VHF radio used to be. Before I bought the Engel, I removed the Garmin VHF radio from its completely awful location on lower helm panel and replaced it with an Icom 506 that I located on top of the helm. The resulting hole from removing the Garmin VHF was a perfect place to install two 12V power plugs. I intend to paint the panel in which the 12V plugs are mounted another color, but I haven’t gotten around to it. Next to the freezer are stacked drawers containing boat maintenance items. On the floor of the footwell is a set of tools in a case.
Having the Engel in the cuddy footwell provides easy access when making meals or getting ice. During the day when the cuddy is not being used for sleeping, we remove and stack the center cuddy cushions to allow access to the Engel and to provide better airflow for it. We do not use a topper in our cuddy so moving the cushions is no problem. I will address our cuddy cushion configuration in another forum post.
The arrangement of having the freezer in the cuddy footwell may not appeal to some, but it works great for us. It’s nice to have meal options that allow us to eat well when anchored or in slipped at a marina without appealing food options.
