You had some great comments on the C&C 30. I was particularly interested in your efforts to move the ice box back and free up storage space. How hard was it to get the countertop off? Could you remove the section above the box without affecting the remaining countertop?
I too was considering this effort because it would also allow the addition of insulation around the box to improve performance when refrigeration is added.
Fair winds and clear skys.
Dave McMurry
C&C 30 - '81, #674 - "Cool Change"

HI Dave,
Yes you can remove the top with out affecting the remanding countertop.
Once I got the top off, it wasn't a big deal. Just making the first step was hard.
Here is the way that I went after the top.
Remove the 4 plugs and screws on the aft seat.
Remove the fid rail on the icebox and the one just aft of it. I removed the one just to the starboard of it, but that wasn't necessary.
Next starts the hard parts. Removing the aft storage bin. Most of the screws were epoxed over and had to be drilled out. There are a few that were installed from the inside out and they had to be hack sawed off.
The screws that hold the top from inside the cupboard were fun also. A couple had to be cut off also.
From that point the top is pretty much loose, except the ice box is screwed to the underside. Another job that C&C did before the deck was put on. But I was able to get them off.
At this point the top is in you hands. The ice box is also in your hands, but that was also installed before the deck went on.
The top and ice box will slide aft the 11" that the storage bin was in. The opening top is in a better spot now with a place to put items while loading the ice box.
I plan to use foiled sided insulated board and spray foam to fill the area between the ice box and the rest of the hull and inside of the boat, per the recommendations of a high tek (high price) insulation suppler.
The storage box will be relocated forward of the ice box were the opening top was.
Will try to cut in some drawers or cupboard doors. That will all depend on how I can cut the front paneling while still in place on the boat. Probably use a pin router.

In remounting the ice box, I will make wood stringer to hold the ice box in place and then mount the top separate.
The only other problem will be hooking up the ice box water drain and make it acceptable to service at a latter date. I have installed a ice box 12v water pump that drains into the sink.
If all goes well, we'll be in the water by early May.
Dick Okopny
Moondance C&C 30
Peter
The name of the book you are looking for is THE PERFECT BOX: 39 WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR BOATS ICE BOX written by Edgar J. Beyn published by Weems & Plath was written in 1982 has a lot of info about fixing existing ice boxes. I think I found this one at west marine
Dennis
Landfall 39
Europa

For those who may have missed my earlier note.This is how I re-insulated the ice box. I'm done with the insulation part of the job now. I used 2 4' x 8' x 3/4" double sided foil foam board and 3 cans of sprayfoam.I felt that this would do a better job than just squirting foam inside the hull.Just finishing up the wood working part. The new dry storage bin is 11" wide and 9"deep. The door opening is under the storage bin. That door is 10" wide by 16"tall. All of the opening doors and panels that C&C painted with gel coat have been sanded down and I'm repainting with white expoy paint along with the new dry storgage and locker below.The next job, starting this afternoon, is cutting the 6" x 24' hole in the back bulk head for the new electrical panel that I'm building.

Please reread my note:
I used 2 sheets of 4' x 8' x 3/4" foam (r=5.8) double foil board. That was after removing the top of the ice box, the ice box shell, moving it aft 11" and rebuilding the dry locker forward the ice box and lining the hull and all bulkheads with the foam board. Plus 3 cans of foam spay. The next step is insulating the underside of the top and door with 1 1/2" or more r=5.8 foam.
All of this should improve the performance of the ice box. I also had the Alder Barber serviced this last winter and it is working just fine in the garage right now.