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One of the problems faced by cruisers who choose to spend time in tropical climates is the necessity of keeping foods refrigerated that would not require any space in the 'fridge in more temperate climes.
Suddenly, the available space on the shelves inside the fridge seems way too little, in spite of having served perfectly well in cooler European waters. Often, too, the setting at which the interior of the 'fridge produces a cold drink (as opposed to one that is not actually warm), tends to be a much higher one in the Caribbean, for example, than off the coast of Scotland, for obvious reasons, requiring more energy expenditure to get the same results.
Judging by the number of 'yachties' to be seen clutching large bags of ice as they queue at the supermarket check-outs, one gains the impression that adequate refrigeration is not, as yet, a common phenomena.
Having a boat with sufficient space to permit a little leeway and having a pocket calculator to hand, it soon became apparent to us that we would be better off with an ordinary domestic 220V refrigerator, using the inverter to give it a top-up once a day, than with any marine refrigerator we could find.
In the Azores we purchased one bearing the brand name Worten, a popular name in the electro-domestic department of the local supermarket, Modelo.
At a cost of 32,000 Escudos (about US$140 at the time), delivered to the boat, the gleaming white appliance fitted snuggly into the space vacated by the last incumbent. Small, it is not, but it is not enormous either, especially by today's standards.
Compare that with, for example, US$1120 for a smaller, propane powered, 'fridge (no, the stainless steel model is US$1299!) and then think about the comparative running costs and you will begin to see what we were seeing.
What we still do not understand is why a propane powered appliance should cost so much more to purchase than an electrical one. Forget the twaddle about there being a smaller market - once you are producing them at all, you have invested in the process.
Trying to get all of your investment back out of the first 50 clients is a sure way of ensuring that your market stays small!
In Spain, in the early 90s, we noticed that there were butane powered refrigerators all over the place. Half of the Andalucian countryside was still awaiting electricity. The difference in price was in the order of 15% higher. Reasonable, given the smaller market.
So how do the purveyors of 'marine' refrigerators justify the vastly inflated prices? We have heard some fascinating answers to that one...
"Well, you see, because a boat heels first to one side and then the other, you have to have twin frion tubes, ensuring that there is always the correct level of frion in the right place to ensure coldness."
This may well be true, for all we know. Are frion tubes that expensive then?
"Ah, well, these refrigerators have had to be made fit for use at sea, my dear, and that's an expensive procedure."
Do I look as though I crawled out of a cave yesterday? (Don't answer that if you want us to stay friends...). If that is the case, then why do marine refrigerators rot away and pack up at a crucial moment, just like plain ordinary 'fridges, only chewing up a far larger chunk of the cruising kitty as they do so?
If we have to have a brand new 'fridge every year for the next ten years, which is highly unlikely
(we've had this one six months already and it's as good as new while the last one, a battered old Zanussi, had given fifteen years of service when it gave up the ghost) it means we will have enjoyed having a brand new appliance every twelve months.
If we bought the US$1299 stainless steel version of what is, when all is said and done, just a fridge, it is difficult to imagine that it would still be looking like an asset to the galley a decade hence, assuming it was still working at all. Guess how long the guarantee lasts on the Worten? One year. Guess how long the guarantee is on the mega-bucks marine version? One year. No! You don't say! Yes, that's right!
We're not saying that you should refrain from depositing US$1300 in the sticky fist of the nearest marine 'fridge salesman if you can afford it. Far from it! He has to make a living too!
All we are saying is that, unless you need to be able to mention, slightly more loudly than is strictly necessary, that you own a 'proper' marine refrigerator, any old fridge will do, especially if the budget wouldn't stretch to a 'proper' one anyway.
If your boat won't accept a domestic 'fridge, because of size or weight
constraints, and the budget won't stretch to a 'marine' fridge... you could always just join the queue in the supermarket, clutching a bag of
ice and forget you ever saw this page...
Want to gnash your teeth and tell us how wrong we are?
We're all ears! E-mail: marinezine_editor@linnetwoods.com
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