Re: [Catalina 355:165] Condensation on back side of refrigerator

[Diane Walters]

Carolyn, 

We discovered that we had a problem last summer and have been working with Gerry Douglas to find a solution.  We returned our cushion to Catalina in the fall to have the back layer removed and replaced with a ventilating material.  That solution worked well through the cooler fall and winter months, but as soon as our weather started warming, with higher humidity last month, the problem re-appeared.  

For now, I recommend that everyone pull their corner salon cushion away from the back of the refrigerator.  Unzip the cushion to check for mold/mildew, and also keep a regular check for moisture on the teak. 

If you discover that you have a problem also, the only solution we've found is to pull the salon cushion away from the refrigerator while we sleep, and also when we leave the boat at the end of the weekend.

To Catalina's credit, Gerry Douglas has been extremely active in trying to find a solution.  My husband, Eddie, has worked closely with him in attempting various possibilities.  We'll let you know as soon as they find something that works well.

Good sailing,

Diane Walters

Tenacious # 6

On Mon, Apr 9, 2012 at 1:20 PM, <csc...@earthlink.net> wrote:

Quite awhile back there was a mention of the moisture/condensation behind the frig. I looked through my Group folder of emails and couldn't find any further discussion...but this could be my miss.

 

Here's the situation:

The wall between the frig and the corner cushion gets soaked. The teak paneling so much that it ripples and then flattens back out as it dries. At night I turn the cushion on its' face so that it can dry out, and the panel can dry out too. The front entry stainless door has no condensation on it. And temp setting inside is good-milk not freezing, etc

 

Our service manager has been very responsive to every 'hit list' we give him. Last week I showed him this problem and he said he's on it. Just wondering if anyone else has had this issue and how it was fixed.

 

-Carolyn

s/v Peanut

#56

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[Brad Sclar]

Interesting – what about an extra layer of insulation between the fridge and the cabinet?

[Sam Paul]

I fortunately have not had this problem but another 355 in the area did.  The only thing we could find was the possibility that there was slightly more room between the refrigerator and the wood between the cushions and the unit. Mine has just less than an inch gap that seems to keep condensation building.  His boat had less room.

I think the dealer was going to drill a couple of holes and install two computer fans to circulate the air.  I am not sure if that worked.  I will ask him.

Regards
Sam

[csc...@earthlink.net]

Thank you, Sam. Keep us posted.

Anyone try just adding more/better insulation between unit and back of panel?

[mra...@aol.com]

In all of our experience, every single issue with condensation for a fridge (not frig, think about it!) has to do with insulation, or a lack thereof.  csc is right.  I'm sure Gerry is scratching his head as to how he could have missed this one, and coming up with an answer that doesn't say "design flaw."  Just sayin'..  While I haven't spent as much time down below as you new owners have, and not having seen this in person, the question you all have to ask yourselves is this:  "Is it worth waiting for the factory to come up with an answer, or should I get creative and find a way to insulate that area of the my fridge box?"  That's what I'd ask myself, but, heck, I only bought used boats...:)

On Monday, April 9, 2012 6:03:26 PM UTC-7, Diane wrote:

Carolyn, 

We discovered that we had a problem last summer and have been working with Gerry Douglas to find a solution.  We returned our cushion to Catalina in the fall to have the back layer removed and replaced with a ventilating material.  That solution worked well through the cooler fall and winter months, but as soon as our weather started warming, with higher humidity last month, the problem re-appeared.  

For now, I recommend that everyone pull their corner salon cushion away from the back of the refrigerator.  Unzip the cushion to check for mold/mildew, and also keep a regular check for moisture on the teak. 

If you discover that you have a problem also, the only solution we've found is to pull the salon cushion away from the refrigerator while we sleep, and also when we leave the boat at the end of the weekend.

To Catalina's credit, Gerry Douglas has been extremely active in trying to find a solution.  My husband, Eddie, has worked closely with him in attempting various possibilities.  We'll let you know as soon as they find something that works well.

Good sailing,

Diane Walters

Tenacious # 6

On Mon, Apr 9, 2012 at 1:20 PM, <csc...@earthlink.net> wrote:

Quite awhile back there was a mention of the moisture/condensation behind the frig. I looked through my Group folder of emails and couldn't find any further discussion...but this could be my miss.

 

Here's the situation:

The wall between the frig and the corner cushion gets soaked. The teak paneling so much that it ripples and then flattens back out as it dries. At night I turn the cushion on its' face so that it can dry out, and the panel can dry out too. The front entry stainless door has no condensation on it. And temp setting inside is good-milk not freezing, etc

 

Our service manager has been very responsive to every 'hit list' we give him. Last week I showed him this problem and he said he's on it. Just wondering if anyone else has had this issue and how it was fixed.

 

-Carolyn

s/v Peanut

#56

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[Ed Walters]

Hi Stu, I'm Diane's husband Ed.  I read your post about the condensation issue we are having.  I know this is a new boat and we are going to find some problems that need to be worked out, I will have to tell you that Catalina has jumped on this condensation problem the minute I found the moisture.  Gerry and I have been working on the problem and thought we had it solved over the winter.  Now with the weather change we have some more work to do. The  fridge is a self contain unit that works great, Our issue is that it sets so close to the wall that backs up to our settee,  the cushion / wall have such a big temp difference it is causing the condensation.  Gerry has bent over backwards working to solved this problem. 

Sent from my iPhone

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[Mra...@aol.com]

Ed,  I hear you and it's great Gerry is working with you all on this.  Any potential solutions?

 

Best regards,

Stu Jackson
Catalina 34 International Association Secretary
557 Crestmont Drive
Oakland, Ca 94619-2319
510-698-4250
Email: mra...@aol.com
Aquavite #224 (1986)

[csc...@earthlink.net]

Brad and I second Ed's thoughts here. Gerry was on our boat this past week working with our Service Manager to go over the factory fix. We will keep you posted.

 

Carolyn

s/v Peanut 

-----Original Message-----
From: Ed Walters
Sent: Apr 16, 2012 10:25 AM
To: "catal...@googlegroups.com"

[mra...@aol.com]

Ed and I just had a great discussion, he was kind enough to call me and explain all the great work Gerry is doing to mitigate the issue.  It truly is wonderful to have a boatbuilder who cares about the folks who buy their boats.  This has always been a hallmark of Frank and Gerry and Sharon and all the rest of the crew at Catalina Yachts.  I'm sure with all the work that Ed and Gerry are doing together that you should have a resolution pretty soon.  Thanks for calling, Ed.

[David Everett]

Curious to know how this issue is progressing - any news?
David

[Brad Sclar]

Hi all: currently, the solution is working well for us: no condensation,
even here in ultra-humid Florida.

Cheers - Brad

-----Original Message-----
From: catal...@googlegroups.com [mailto:catal...@googlegroups.com] On

Behalf Of David Everett
Sent: Friday, June 08, 2012 4:13 PM
To: catal...@googlegroups.com

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[Christopher Petroski]

The suspense is killing us! Can you share what the solution is?

Congrats!

Chris

Sent from my iPhone

[Brad Sclar]

I wasn't here when they did it, but they cut out a panel which apparently allows for air flow that is regulated by the refrigerator fan... More news will be coming out about this I believe. I think they're doing some more tests on other boats.

Sent from my iPad

[E-Sea-Ryder]

Hey everyone

I know it's been awhile since this came up but the fix did work on our boat, #18, also. A section of the wall next to the refrigerator is removed and a matching laminate panel glued on. This allows 1/2" of air space which is enough to stop the problem. We emailed Gerry, he shipped the kit to our house, and our dealer came and installed it.

Phil

#18 

[Jon Vez]

Hi Phil,

I also implemented this fix, but unfortunately it did not entirely solve my problem. There is still a small area at the outboard side that touches the bulkhead and creates condensation. I think the template provided needs to be a bit wider. Those of you with AC seem to be okay, so I wonder if the temp differential on your boats offsets this. 

I would love to hear from any owners without AC that have implemented this fix whether or not you still have a condensation problem. My plan is to shave off a bit of the inner bulkhead where it still touches the fridge unit enough to create a gap and see if that works.

Regards,

Jon Vez

Solstice #17

Sent from my iPad

[Michael Insalaco]

Hello Jon

I had the same condensation problem.  My dealer cut the panel out and installed a thin piece of laminate.  This "fix" did seem to alleviate the problem.  I live in Rochester NY and we do have our share of hot humid days during the summer.  After the fix, I noticed the panel to be cool to the touch but no condensation.  However, I am not putting this issue to rest until I see what transpires next summer.

 Mike Insalaco #55

---

From: Jon Vez <Jon...@comcast.net>
To: "catal...@googlegroups.com" <catal...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, November 8, 2012 10:09 AM
Subject: Re: [Catalina 355:314] Condensation on back side of refrigerator

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