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Bushman fridge/freezers for a boat with everything but a cold galley
You find the right boat at the right price, then lift the galley lid and discover an icebox. For an owner planning weekends up the coast, that can be a manageable gap in the inventory. Bushman makes portable compressor fridge/freezers that run from a suitable house supply. You can add cold storage without committing to a galley refit before your first trip.
Take a tape measure to the inspection
Mark out the space where you'd actually use a chest. The Original Bushman's base is 690 by 385 mm. The adjustable collar and lids change its height and capacity, so measure to the underside of the bench as well as across the floor. Can you open the lid and lift out a basket? Is there space for ventilation and a secure fixing? A spot that passes those tests is more useful than the seller's assurance that a fridge will fit somewhere.
Buy for the food you bring aboard
Think about a Sunday breakfast for two, then a long weekend with four aboard. If you already have chilled storage, a chest for frozen dinners might be the better purchase. Bushman specifies whole-chest freezer use for the 35, 42 and 45 litre arrangements of its Original. The larger arrangement gives extra room for a mixed load. We like having that choice when you don't yet know exactly how you'll use a new boat.
Ask Bushman about the configuration for your meals and house voltage. The Original can use 12 or 24 volt DC, and its supplied mains adaptor lets you chill the chest before loading. When comparing boats, put the refrigeration purchase beside any battery or installation work in your budget. That gives the icebox-equipped boat a fair comparison with one already set up for cruising.
