So I bought that darn YETI......

[brackish]

....several years ago and it was a bit of an expensive mistake.  I bought it because it was the only multi day cooler that was short enough to go under the companionway steps after ComPacs redesign of that area.  However, it required the lifting of a hinged step, the removal of a drop board, lifting it then dragging it out over the molding that holds the drop board.  Then slide it across the sole till I can get the lid up.  Then reverse, then do it again to get something else out, maybe a dozen or so times in a meal prep.  And it is HEAVY empty and heavier full, consequently I never used it.

However, this has been on my winter project list for years, and I finally got to it.  A drawer for the YETI.  I first had to remove all the moldings that hold the drop board in with an occillating tool.  Then after smoothing and refinishing those areas, I measured and built a drawer.  I got some all stainless steel 22" travel 120 lbs. capacity drawer slides to use for the project.  I took the old drop board and put a trim molding around it for looks.  I also had to put a wooden molding on the hinged step that locks the drawer closed.  It came out great!!!.  I can get that Yeti out and open and back in just a few seconds with one hand.  Some pics of the project:

Before pic with the drop board

After picture with drop board now the drawer fr

Drawer partially out.  The holes serve two purposes.  The YETI has molded feet that project about 1/4" from the flat bottom.  The holes are to get some needed clearance and to hold the cooler in position so it can't slide around in ther

Yeti in the d

And with the lid up

I don't plan to ever remove it.  It has a drain that can be hosed to the bilge but I don't like that.  Planning to use one of those mini pumps with a 12 volt plug to pump the melt water out into a bucket post cruise.

[HeaveToo]

Brackish,
Why not use a shopvac and suck the water out of the cooler after a cruise?  They even make small 12V ones that will pick up water.  I use to keep the bilge in my Catalina 30 dry with one of those.

If you really want it dry, shop vac it out and then dry with a shammy.  You can get it darn near bone dry.

Your modification is awesome!  That looks really good.

[capt_nemo]

brackish,

VERY WELL DONE!

You are a man after my own DIY heart. I'm sure that your drawer/cooler mod will serve you quite well when cruising.

It would appear that great minds think alike. Here is a photo of the cooler slide-out drawer that I built into a starboard storage module in my Sun Cat.

capt_nemo

[brackish]

truth be known, capt_nemo, your picture was the inspiration for this project.  Unlike your build, I was forced to modify the original cabinetry, however, I think it will be a modification that would be desired by anyone. 

HeaveToo, the shop vac is a good water removal tool.   When I had my Columbia 8.7 I kept one in my dock box to dry out bilge compartments that held water in places despite limber holes to move it all to the primary pump.  But too large to carry with me when needing to pump out ice melt when out on a cruise.  The 12V mini pump fits in the palm of my hand and I have a 12V outlet just above the cooler.  Think that will work out better.

[capt_nemo]

brackish,

Thanks for the kind words. Pleased to serve as inspiration for a solution to a nagging problem.

And yes, I too think it will be a mod desired by anyone - well worth modification of original cabinetry.

capt_nemo

[HeaveToo]

Hrm....I had a 12V shopvac that was pretty small.  It was a half gallon size or something similar.  http://www.amazon.com/Wagan-750-Wet-Ultra-Inflator/dp/B0013T5V6K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1427803266&sr=8-1&keywords=12v+shop+vac

How long does the cooler hold ice? 

I am sure that it is longer than mine.  I am a slave to the iceman when I cruise but I normally go into a dock every couple of days for fuel and maybe water so I pick up ice then.  It is about the efficiency as the icebox in my Catalina 30.

Even a bag of ice a day is cheaper than putting refrigeration in for someone like me.  I would want more battery power and a better way of charging (more solar).  That isn't going to happen!

[brackish]

HeaveToo, I have a similar sized unit that is AC powered, and I had often used it for boat clean up.  However, it is larger than the mini pump by a factor of 20 and on a CP23 storage space and easy access are at a premium.

I would not recommend the YETI on the basis of its ice retention.  At best, starting with block ice I can squeeze out three days.  But I can get two with other coolers that are a fifth the cost of the YETI, and that are much lighter.  I read a review one time on a camping forum site where all the multi day coolers were compared and the Coleman extreme at about $70 beat the $250 YETI.  As mentioned the only reason I bought the YETI was to get the height dimension on at least a 50 qt. chest that would work.  The Coleman, Igloo and Rubbermaid were all too tall to work in my situation.  It is a Yeti Sherpa designed for white water rafting now discontinued.  It was designed to fit into those aluminum racks they put on those provision rafts to go down white water rivers on multi day trips.  Because it was a closeout, I got a good deal on it.

The YETI is tough, and consequently very heavy.  If you go to their site, they have videos of bears unsuccessfully trying to gain access to the cooler.  However, in nearly fifty years of sailing I have yet to have a bear problem on any of my boats.