Wine cooler conversion to storage

[OverTime]

I know it's been done before but here is my take on converting the wine cooler into a storage area. I removed the "monkey fur" divider between the two compartments to combine it into one large area, accessible from both doors. I also enlarged the cutout as big as I could and darkened the edge of the plywood. As a bonus, I now have access to the 120 volt outlet that the cooler was plugged into. P.S. I bought the door on Etsy unfinished, custom size, about $60.00.

 

[AGLyme]

Brilliant ! We presently use the "wine cooler" as a (too small) storage area. Your post is inspiring.

 

[DDean]

Do you have a link to the door you got from Etsy?

It looks amazing. I want to do exact same!

 

[Mastercraft]

The wine cooler is great for vegetables. I don't understand why people remove the cooler. I also store can goods in there in the summer so they don't see 100 deg F in cabin.

 

[DDean]

Its a big AC power draw that requires the inverter or shore power. If there was a way to turn it off (like the other fridges), Id just do that, but its on if the galley outlet is on, and it sucks a lot of power when it is. So Ive been minimizing the time its on. Which means its just a waste of space almost all the time.

 

[TvfBrian]

We had Boat Outfitters build us a hatch style door

 

[AGLyme]

When I re-did the seat upholstery... I got into the the space behind the cooler and discovered there is a lot of surplus room back there. That hatch above looks incredibly practical and the amount of room behind it is worth all the conversion trouble.

 

[TvfBrian]

When I re-did the seat upholstery... I got into the the space behind the cooler and discovered there is a lot of surplus room back there. That hatch above looks incredibly practical and the amount of room behind it is worth all the conversion trouble.

There is a ton of room in there, our next step is to add a shelf inside it.

 

[OverTime]

There is a ton of room in there, our next step is to add a shelf inside it.

That's a good idea. I have been using stackable containers.

 

[AshleyWillkies]

I know it's been done before but here is my take on converting the wine cooler into a storage area. I removed the "monkey fur" divider between the two compartments to combine it into one large area, accessible from both doors. I also enlarged the cutout as big as I could and darkened the edge of the plywood. As a bonus, I now have access to the 120 volt outlet that the cooler was plugged into. P.S. I bought the door on Etsy unfinished, custom size, about $60.00.





Even though I converted the wine cooler into general storage, I still enjoy collecting and tasting good wine. I simply no longer needed such a large dedicated cooling area. For new bottles, I usually turn to the leading distributor of exclusive wines and premium spirits in Cyprus, where I can always find something interesting to add to my smaller collection.

Oh you have done a great job with that but now I will drink some hot wine and not the cold one)

 

[CarrieTrails]

You did a really nice job. We had Fluid Motion remove it before we ever took ownership of both our RT29 and then now our RT43. That space is SO necessary in the RT29 and was a lifesaver when we went to SE Alaska in the RT29 last year.

 

[scross]

The Admiral loves our conversion. There’s a LOT of space back there for storing all our dry goods and more.
I used the wine cooler wire leads to install a motion sensor light that turns open when the door is opened. Had to split the replacement door to account for the convex curve in the fiberglass wall under the helm seat.

 

[scross]

The Admiral loves our conversion. I used the wine cooler wire leads to install a motion sensor light that turns open when the door is opened. Had to split the replacement door to account for the convex curve in the fiberglass wall under the helm seat. View attachment 28117

The Admiral loves our conversion. There’s a LOT of space back there for storing all our dry goods and more.
I used the wine cooler wire leads to install a motion sensor light that turns open when the door is opened. Had to split the replacement door to account for the convex curve in the fiberglass wall under the helm seat. View attachment 28117

One more pic - this of the

inside. Still has dust from install. Wine cooler can be easily reinstalled as I kept the original wood trim.

 

[Flash Gordon]

The Admiral loves our conversion. I used the wine cooler wire leads to install a motion sensor light that turns open when the door is opened. Had to split the replacement door to account for the convex curve in the fiberglass wall under the helm seat. View attachment 28117

One more pic - this of the View attachment 28118inside. Still has dust from install. Wine cooler can be easily reinstalled as I kept the original wood trim.

Great looking job. What kinds of wood did you use?

 

[scross]

Great looking job. What kinds of wood did you use?

Thanks for the compliment. Made the doors from some leftover doors from a fellow Cutwaters v-berth cabinetry project. He took out the stock cabinetry and has wardrobe and 3 drawer setup installed. His finished project was AMAZING and should have been an option from the factory for all C-28 owners.
That said, the doors are things the factory builds every day. cherry veneer faced plywood with a light colored wood trimmed end pieces. I know the carpentry shop is busy but it would be amazing if they could build a door or two for current owners.