Hey there Mike,

Just a short note to let you know the fridge is working GREAT. We're in La Paz now, anchored in front of Marina de La Paz. We did spend 2 months in the Sea, where it was very warm. Thankfully it has cooled considerably. We'll hopefully be out of here in a couple or 3 weeks, heading to Mazatlan.

When will you be back there? Or, are you back there now? Anyway, take care & thanks again for the great job on the reefer. See you in Maz.

Regards,
Kim
ve0end 73

For John and Marilyn aboard “Fairanne” a beautiful 1968 wooden Atkins, energy efficient refrigeration was part of their dream come true. It was important that the charm of this classic yacht was not compromised.

John and MEXICOLDER worked together to achieve their needs and now they are keeping their cool during the “lazee daze” of a long hot summer in Marina Mazatlan ready to venture forth on their cruise. You be the judge as to the smile on Marilyn’s face.

MEXICOLDER delivered what was needed!

The simple facts are:

1. If you catch a big fish you don`t have to return it to Neptune, with an ample yet economical fridge and freezer you can be the *Star Provider* at the next beach BBQ on Isla “Quien Sabe?” or trade for other needs.

2. The money you save on ice and having to haul it and find it will soon pay for the system.

3. The additional funds you save on frequent taxi fares to and from the market will keep you cruising longer.

4. A low energy use system requires less solar array or diesel engine running time.

Jimmie Zinn & Jane Hanawalt
Aboard the S/V Dry Martini
Somewhere warm

May 28, 2003

Dear Mike,

Just wanted you to know how completely satisfied we are with the refrigeration system you installed in the Dry Martini last month. The unit performs better than you advertised, you delivered precisely what you promised and you did it exactly when you said you would. Such competence is getting to be very rare these days and we are most appreciative. Please do not hesitate to use us as a reference. We would be happy to reply to questions via the e-mail address below.

We are now in the Sea of Cortez and while we have not yet hit the height of summer heat we are observing the following stats.

On high setting the unit is running a fairly steady 38% of the time and drawing 4.5 amps as soon as the system stabilizes, within a few seconds of cycling on. This works out to just under 42 amps per day. On low power the draw goes down to 3.8 amps and the unit runs 45% of the time so it is pretty much a push on daily amps but, as you said, when we are running on solar power while at anchor the low setting is more efficient, using the feed from the panels directly rather than drawing on the batteries.

Once again, thanks so much for your help. We hope to see you in the Sea this summer and I think we can promise you a cold one to celebrate the occasion.

Jimmie Zinn
Aboard the Dry Martini

1 May 2004

Mexicolder
Mike Wilson
Marina Isla Mazatlan
Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico

Dear Mike,

You already know how happy we are with your system, but I thought I'd give you something to share with other cruisers who come your way. We're THAT pleased!

Salvador, the independent contractor who did the glass and insulation work, was extremely capable, neat, and reasonably priced. Hope was particularly impressed that they did clean-up everyday, used plastic tarps all around 'her' galley, and there was virtually nothing left for her to clean up at the end of the project. She politely suggested that I take lessons.

I'm also enclosing data measuring the energy consumption of your system aboard our vessel. Because of the reduction in required refrigeration Amp-hours, our existing solar and wind generating power is now enough to keep us self-sufficient. With the Alder-Barbour, we were faced with spending another US$1000 in solar panels and at least that much again in secure stainless mounts of some sort to make up the shortfall. We should be able to avoid abusing the engine at anchor just to make electricity.
We heard about your system from other cruisers in Zihuatanejo, some who were almost hoping they'd have a breakdown to get a Mexicolder system, and others who had one and couldn't say enough good things. So it was comforting to know your excellent reputation before our meeting.
On our Catalina 42, we'd been using the forward cold box simply as dry storage. Your idea to connect the two boxes with 2-inch PVC tubes behind & under the stove, then add a small computer fan to move air, has worked out great. We now have a HUGE fresh vegetable storage area at around 50-60 degrees F. It also serves as the 'pre-chiller' bringing room temperature items down in temperature without adding a significant load to the system before they go into the cold box.

So, keep up the good work. We're looking forward to sending more cruisers your way.

Best regards,

Rich & Hope Logie
s/v ceilidh

March 29, 2004

Latitude 38

Dear editor,

It's been awhile since we participated in the 2002 Baja Ha Ha, and thought it prudent to write. At present we are in Mazatlan, heading north through the Sea towards San Carlos where we will leave Seawings for her second summer in the water. I can't tell you how pleased we were with the outcome of traveling with other cruisers and all the effort Latitude puts into the Cruisers Rally.

Diana and I were talking recently about how happy we were and how well fed we are, when I realized that the two reasons for all this are related to our new refrigerator/freezer and the availability of fresh produce and fruits here in Mexico. We started our cruise with a 15 year old three way RV fridge that gave up when we reached Cabo San Lucas. Having cruised with out refrigeration before, we were getting along OK, but tired of buying/hauling ice and drinking warm cerveza.

All that changed when we ran across the refrigeration expert, Mike Wilson of Mexicolder, based out of Marina Mazatlan. Mike was the answer to our dilemma. I wanted a top loading box, and an efficient simple 12 volt system with low amp use.

Mexicolder has done the job now for 11 months and is still working beautiful. It's stainless steel chassis measures about 12"x9"x8" and only draws 4 amps while running 15 minutes out of the hour to cool the 5.5 cubic foot box.

The box was built by Salvador Obregon of Construcciones de Fibra de Vidro, also of Mazatlan. We were very impressed with the quality and professional work that Salvador and his helper did in constructing the 5" thick foam/fiberglass enclosure, complete with sealed lid. It is a real work of art and the boat stayed clean through the project which only took three days.

Mike was instrumental in the design and communicating with Salvador while also upgrading our alternator to 85 amps with a replacement using the same dimensions/attachment as original so the old one became a backup unit.

We are very happy with the Mexicolder and Mike Wilson.

Mike can be reached by e-mail at mexicolder@hotmail.com or call "TORTUE", VHF channel 72 in Mazatlan and details of the Mexicolder can be seen on the web at www.mexicolder.com

Thanks, Latitude for the kick in the pants and Mike Wilson for enhancing our Mexico experience.

Eric and Diana Jones
s/v Seawings
40' trimaran, Ventura Ca.
Currently in Mazatlan