Gordon Wedman wrote:
"Denis Marier" wrote in message
...
I was looking at the new Beneteau 345 pamphlet for this year.
The new 2005 specification is showing a 1 X 12 V electric (4.5
cuft)
front
opening fridge.
I wonder what is the advantage to have a front opening fridge on a
34 foot
sailboat.
That gave me the idea that this boat was designed to be a live
aboard
attached to a berth protected by a breakwater. Conversely, the
power
boats
community have used front opening fridges for a long time. Maybe
there
are
advantages that I can not see at this time??

Dangiser

Easier to clean and easier to get food out of. The top surface can
be used
as a permanent counter/work surface. Two main problems are they let
out all
the cold air every time you open and there is the possibility that
everything may end up on the cabin sole if you open while on the
wrong tack.
Maybe not such an issue on powerboats as they usually try to stay
level and
often have gensets (don't care about running time of the fridge).

Oh they can be lots of fun on a power boat up on plane if the door
faces the stern. I remember a few years ago running a friends boat to
Florida for the winter with some friends. He had a galley up setup, it
was (key word, "was") a beautiful day, we were out in the open ocean
under way. All of us were up on the fly bridge enjoying the weather, I
climbed down from the bridge to go get something from the cabin. Well,
I opened the cabin door, and the entire contents of the refrigerator,
which was full for our trip, rolled out the door, into the cockpit.
Everything except the eggs, salids and glass bottles. The cold cuts
were stuck to assorted things in the cabin.

One of those golden moments in life where the only thing that comes out
of your mouth is, "Oh s _ _ t". It would have been nice to have a lie
detector on board to determine who opened the refrigerator last, and
didn't latch it shut. Keel hauling would have been called for. It was
one hell of a mess.

The lesson learned, if the refrigerator has a latch, use it at all
times, make it a habit. If it doesn't have a latch, install one.