has anyone removed an ice box from a cd25?

[pmontgomery]

I am installing a manual bilge pump and would like to have temporary acess to the 5 inch deep sump at the back of the bilge. Mainly to secure the intake hose but also to re-insulate the ice chest itself. I was also thinking of somehow making the floor of the ice box removable to always have access, but that will come later. Has anyone done something similar?

[greg phillips]

I made major changes to my CD25 and in the process removed the icebox permanently. As I recall it was more or less just screwed into place. In its place I glassed in some short floor frames and covered them with plywood. I made provision for an access hatch in the frames so I had a straight shot down into the lower bilge.

My bilge pump was mounted on the end of a stick that was easy to retrieve from the bilge for cleaning and servicing. I never built a ladder to replace the one that the icebox provided but that should be easily done.

I was pleased with the results and never missed the old icebox. In its place I found a removable cooler that fit the new platform. Also I had a cooler that fit snugly in the cockpit floor against the bridge deck for more capacity when needed.

I weighed the old icebox and it was about 65 pounds. I never missed that weight aft as I recall. Good luck if you try it.

Greg Phillips