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Author Topic:   Bait Freezer 305 Conquest

Ricky posted 02-09-2012 12:01 PM ET (US)
Need freezer capacity on my boat. Several threads in the past on this subject but none addressed a 305 Conquest.
I see three alternatives. First, remove drawers under bait prep sink and install a 120/12 volt unit. Second, use space under v berth seats. Need to insulate, then install a Sea Frost or other "sailboat" type refrigeration system. Third, buy a portable unit from Frigiboat or Dometic and store unit on bunks under cockpit. The second choice is best but most expensive.
Anyone else installed more frig capacity or freezer? New 34 Conquests have a freezer by prep station. Anyone know what brand?
Frig that came with boat is great but you can only freeze a few ice cubes.
jollyrog305 posted 02-11-2012 06:52 PM ET (US)
Ricky,
If it were me and the feezer was solely for bait, I would go with option 3. I would want the bait close to the deck/prep station and not have to keep going below deck to retrieve it. Also with option 2 you will have to contend with ac/heat components if you were going to use the starboard side.
Good luck
Ricky posted 02-12-2012 06:43 PM ET (US)
Jollyrog-
Think I agree. Sometimes simple is best. Miami Boat Show next week. Maybe they will be "cheap".
jollyrog305 posted 02-13-2012 09:49 AM ET (US)
Just buy the new 315 and convert the cockpit refrigerator to a freezer :P
martyn1075 posted 02-22-2012 03:15 AM ET (US)
I am on board with option three as well. It gives you more options. The Dometic are really good imo. I have one and can say it doesn't draw all that much its quiet, fairly light, and heavy duty enough to operate under some nasty conditions where the boat is on extreme angles. It also has a battery safe function built in and conserves energy if your battery is indeed getting low. I have heard that these units can fully operate with a solar panel installed. There should be room on the 305 hardtop to mount as well. The best of all is that you can take it out store it use it in the car, or on camping trips etc. Keeps the beer nice and cold!
Martyn
martyn1075 posted 02-22-2012 03:27 AM ET (US)
Apparently some have reported issues with these portable compressor fridges under constant extreme heat but I have never had that problem. It sounds like it will be covered anyways. I believe these units are created by an Australian company and tested under Australia heat conditions so I would say you are probably safe. Dometic is the distributor I believe, but Waeco is the creator. There are no differences in the units from what I understand other than the name on the side of the fridge.
Ricky posted 02-26-2012 12:02 PM ET (US)
Sorry for delay in response.
BTW, Saw the new 315 Conquest at miami show. Really liked except gas genset- although not needing diesel fuel would be easier. Cockpit fridge was great as was windshield. BW has addressed a lot of the issues I have had with boat.
The Dometic units were on display at show as well. Totally the way to go. Not cheap but awesome design. Have to figure out what size will fit under cockpit. Access ladder restricts opening into bunk area. I have removed cushions from these bunks as we don't use them ever. Now storage area.
Wiring won't be simple as these units run on 110 or 12 volts. Same as frig that came with boat. Not sure if existing frig breakers could handle added load. May need my marine electrician friend on this one.
Ricky posted 10-03-2012 08:14 AM ET (US)
Just a follow up here. Purchased the Dometic 35 quart ac/dc unit and installed a 110 outlet by the helm seat right above 12 volt outlet. Unit fits nicely between helm seat and dash on floor. Bought a cheap rubber doormat to prevent sliding around.
When underway, I move the unit between the helm seat and bench seat because I stand a lot when underway. Cords stay plugged in and rubber mat keeps in place.
The boat fridge and Dometic unit draw down the house batts to 50 per cent when run over night but they charge right back up with an hour of genset time or engine running
Nice solution for a reasonable amount of money. Cruised for two weeks in Maine. Unit ran continuously with no issues. Quiet, held the 11 degree temperature constant, always had ice for happy hour!
martyn1075 posted 10-03-2012 08:52 PM ET (US)
These units are amazing they dial right into the temp you want and it just keeps it there and they are quiet unlike many of the cheaper models around. I only have to be careful what I leave in there in because the ventilation is obviously not good due to its size so things have to be packed carefully.
Beer never seems to a problem at all. Not once have I ever to check on them go bad.
Martyn
Ricky posted 10-03-2012 09:25 PM ET (US)
They are amazing. You set the temp and the compressor goes into turbo mode and cools it down quickly. If batteries drain too far unit will shut off before they drain completely and you can set the voltage that they shut down, depending if battery is needed for starting or house. Unit automatically uses 110 v power if available, if not, will use 12v. You don't have to remember to switch over manually.
The only knock would be insulation- it could use more. On humid days there was light sweating but it still held temp. They don't give them away either.
The 305 Conquest is a decent cruising boat with good water and fuel capacity. The genset provides plenty of power for whatever but refrigeration capcity was low and virtually no freezer capacity. This unit can increase frig or freezer space, but not both.
martyn1075 posted 10-03-2012 11:21 PM ET (US)
Agree the only other option I was thinking about was one of those drawer style fridge units. In our boat behind the seats are teak drawers and I was thinking maybe of using one of them for a pull out fridge. It would be kind of interesting and useful but I just use that space too often for fishing gear so the other option was the best overall and its portable can use it on car trips or camping etc.
Martyn
Whaler_Jack posted 10-06-2012 09:13 AM ET (US)
While there's a thread on the 305. How do you guys like the boat. I've narrow my search to a 2005-2008 305 for 75-150 mile offshore fishing and family cruiser. Can you give me the pros and con on the 305.
Jack

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Author	Topic: Bait Freezer 305 Conquest
Ricky	posted 02-09-2012 12:01 PM ET (US) Need freezer capacity on my boat. Several threads in the past on this subject but none addressed a 305 Conquest. I see three alternatives. First, remove drawers under bait prep sink and install a 120/12 volt unit. Second, use space under v berth seats. Need to insulate, then install a Sea Frost or other "sailboat" type refrigeration system. Third, buy a portable unit from Frigiboat or Dometic and store unit on bunks under cockpit. The second choice is best but most expensive. Anyone else installed more frig capacity or freezer? New 34 Conquests have a freezer by prep station. Anyone know what brand? Frig that came with boat is great but you can only freeze a few ice cubes.
jollyrog305	posted 02-11-2012 06:52 PM ET (US) Ricky, If it were me and the feezer was solely for bait, I would go with option 3. I would want the bait close to the deck/prep station and not have to keep going below deck to retrieve it. Also with option 2 you will have to contend with ac/heat components if you were going to use the starboard side. Good luck
Ricky	posted 02-12-2012 06:43 PM ET (US) Jollyrog- Think I agree. Sometimes simple is best. Miami Boat Show next week. Maybe they will be "cheap".
jollyrog305	posted 02-13-2012 09:49 AM ET (US) Just buy the new 315 and convert the cockpit refrigerator to a freezer :P
martyn1075	posted 02-22-2012 03:15 AM ET (US) I am on board with option three as well. It gives you more options. The Dometic are really good imo. I have one and can say it doesn't draw all that much its quiet, fairly light, and heavy duty enough to operate under some nasty conditions where the boat is on extreme angles. It also has a battery safe function built in and conserves energy if your battery is indeed getting low. I have heard that these units can fully operate with a solar panel installed. There should be room on the 305 hardtop to mount as well. The best of all is that you can take it out store it use it in the car, or on camping trips etc. Keeps the beer nice and cold! Martyn
martyn1075	posted 02-22-2012 03:27 AM ET (US) Apparently some have reported issues with these portable compressor fridges under constant extreme heat but I have never had that problem. It sounds like it will be covered anyways. I believe these units are created by an Australian company and tested under Australia heat conditions so I would say you are probably safe. Dometic is the distributor I believe, but Waeco is the creator. There are no differences in the units from what I understand other than the name on the side of the fridge.
Ricky	posted 02-26-2012 12:02 PM ET (US) Sorry for delay in response. BTW, Saw the new 315 Conquest at miami show. Really liked except gas genset- although not needing diesel fuel would be easier. Cockpit fridge was great as was windshield. BW has addressed a lot of the issues I have had with boat. The Dometic units were on display at show as well. Totally the way to go. Not cheap but awesome design. Have to figure out what size will fit under cockpit. Access ladder restricts opening into bunk area. I have removed cushions from these bunks as we don't use them ever. Now storage area. Wiring won't be simple as these units run on 110 or 12 volts. Same as frig that came with boat. Not sure if existing frig breakers could handle added load. May need my marine electrician friend on this one.
Ricky	posted 10-03-2012 08:14 AM ET (US) Just a follow up here. Purchased the Dometic 35 quart ac/dc unit and installed a 110 outlet by the helm seat right above 12 volt outlet. Unit fits nicely between helm seat and dash on floor. Bought a cheap rubber doormat to prevent sliding around. When underway, I move the unit between the helm seat and bench seat because I stand a lot when underway. Cords stay plugged in and rubber mat keeps in place. The boat fridge and Dometic unit draw down the house batts to 50 per cent when run over night but they charge right back up with an hour of genset time or engine running Nice solution for a reasonable amount of money. Cruised for two weeks in Maine. Unit ran continuously with no issues. Quiet, held the 11 degree temperature constant, always had ice for happy hour!
martyn1075	posted 10-03-2012 08:52 PM ET (US) These units are amazing they dial right into the temp you want and it just keeps it there and they are quiet unlike many of the cheaper models around. I only have to be careful what I leave in there in because the ventilation is obviously not good due to its size so things have to be packed carefully. Beer never seems to a problem at all. Not once have I ever to check on them go bad. Martyn
Ricky	posted 10-03-2012 09:25 PM ET (US) They are amazing. You set the temp and the compressor goes into turbo mode and cools it down quickly. If batteries drain too far unit will shut off before they drain completely and you can set the voltage that they shut down, depending if battery is needed for starting or house. Unit automatically uses 110 v power if available, if not, will use 12v. You don't have to remember to switch over manually. The only knock would be insulation- it could use more. On humid days there was light sweating but it still held temp. They don't give them away either. The 305 Conquest is a decent cruising boat with good water and fuel capacity. The genset provides plenty of power for whatever but refrigeration capcity was low and virtually no freezer capacity. This unit can increase frig or freezer space, but not both.
martyn1075	posted 10-03-2012 11:21 PM ET (US) Agree the only other option I was thinking about was one of those drawer style fridge units. In our boat behind the seats are teak drawers and I was thinking maybe of using one of them for a pull out fridge. It would be kind of interesting and useful but I just use that space too often for fishing gear so the other option was the best overall and its portable can use it on car trips or camping etc. Martyn
Whaler_Jack	posted 10-06-2012 09:13 AM ET (US) While there's a thread on the 305. How do you guys like the boat. I've narrow my search to a 2005-2008 305 for 75-150 mile offshore fishing and family cruiser. Can you give me the pros and con on the 305. Jack