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What Should I consider when looking for a freezer for my boat?

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The appliances on your boat will impact the quality of your adventures. By choosing the right marine refrigeration units for your vessel, you’ll avoid the hassle and stress that comes with having a freezer that doesn’t fit your needs.

To help you navigate the purchasing process, we asked Frigibar President Shuly Oletzky, “What should a boat owner, captain, or crew consider when looking for a new freezer for a boat or yacht?” Shuly responded:  

“When looking for a freezer for your boat, there are a couple of things to consider. The first consideration is what is it that you want to do with the freezer?

  • Do you have a particular length of trip you would like to take?
  • Will you need the capacity to store food for two weeks, two months, etc.?

Starting with what you will use the freezer for will help you choose the right product.  

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In addition to knowing what you will use the freezer for, you need to consider how much space do you have available and what’s available on the market to fit that space?

  • In general, you want to get the largest freezer you can fit because you can never have too much freezer space.
  • You also want to be sure the application you’re going to be using the freezer for is appropriate for the location you plan to put it (on your boat), the environment that it will be in, and how it is you plan to use it and access it.

Asking yourself and answering those questions before you go out into the market to do the research will help you find the information that you need to make an informed and educated decision so you will get the most out of the product you purchase.”

With over 45 years of experience helping owners, captains, and crews find the right freezer for their vessels, we can help you find the perfect unit for your boat — even if it isn’t one of ours. Call Frigibar today to get the help you need to find your next marine refrigeration system: (305) 757-7697 or email us at info@frigibar.com.

Also read: Marine Refrigeration Fit: How to Determine What Size Freezer or Refrigerator is Right for Your Boat or Yacht

Tips for Buying a Frigibar Marine Refrigeration System or Freezer

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ensign-open-mibs-2012For over forty years, Frigibar, based out of Miami, has manufactured the best in marine refrigeration to become beloved fixtures of boats and yachts traveling around the world. While we don’t have a retail storefront, we make it easy to get your hands on a Frigibar.

Frigibar freezer and refrigerator systems are available through Frigibar directly or one of our authorized retail partners and distributors, who can offer the same great price and quality you’ll get directly from us. Each freezer with the Frigibar logo will be of the highest quality, rust-free fiberglass construction, and handcrafted in Miami, Florida.

When considering purchasing a quality Frigibar marine refrigeration system, here are several tips to make the process as enjoyable and easy as possible:

  • Experience the Difference

Seeing and feeling a Frigibar in person is a great way to understand why they’re unique and trusted by captains and crews everywhere.

Frigibar exhibits at boat shows around the world, primarily in Florida, to meet with customers, captains, crews, boating enthusiasts and others and to display our units. In 2015-2016, Frigibar exhibited at the Miami International Boat Show, Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, Refit International, METSTRADE, the Stuart Boat Show, the Bay Bridge Boat Show in Annapolis, MD, the New England Boat Show in Boston, MA, and the Newport International Boat Show.

We’d love to meet you and have you experience a Frigibar in person. Follow the Frigibar Blog to see what events we will be exhibiting at.

  • Visit a Frigibar Partner

Frigibar works with partners around the world. These partners allow us to showcase our products for customers at local and international boat shows, retail locations, captain’s lounges and more. Partners include SailorSams, Whiticar Boat Works, Yacht Equipment and Parts and Ultra Marine.

To see if there is a Frigibar partner in your area or an available unit to view or purchase, please contact us today.

In addition, while they may not have Frigibar units on display, your boat builder, refit yard, chandlery, project manager, or marine refrigeration service provider is also available to assist you in purchasing your unit.

  • Know Your Size and Style

Depending on the size of the space you have available on your boat and your style preferences, Frigibar manufactures 15 sizes in two different categories that all offer something unique. We have both chest and bench style freezers with varying dimensions and storage capacity.

To determine the size of the space you have available, view our Marine Refrigeration Fit Guide. View Frigibar’s full online product catalog here.

  • Custom Builds

You have an unlimited number of options when working with Frigibar. If you prefer something truly one-of-a-kind or your available space does not work with one of our best-selling freezers, we can custom build a unit just for your boat. Contact us for specifics.

  • Explore Custom Options

Custom builds aren’t the only way to both have the best marine freezer on your boat and have something no one else has. We have many custom options available to make your Frigibar your own.

Custom options include ‘Dual Control’ option (use as a freezer or refrigerator), 3-inch and 1-1/2” thick Snap-On marine cushions to allow your freezer to double as a seating option, custom gel coat colors, condensing unit orientation, and more. If you have a specific want or need that isn’t listed, please contact us.

  • Planning Your Order

While we keep some of our most popular sizes in stock, keep in mind that due to our many customization options, many units are built to order. Please allow enough time to order your Frigibar for that important trip or boat delivery. Contact Frigibar or one of our marine partners to find out current availability and time-frame for the unit you are interested in.

  • Call and Ask

We pride ourselves on truly looking out for your best interests, even if that means recommending a competitor’s solution. If you have a “go-to” person or company that handles all your vessel’s needs, we will be happy to help them assist you with your purchase. Read more about our approach to customer service here.

Please call us today for more information and to ask us any and all questions you may have: 305-757-7697.

Connect with Frigibar on social media! We provide regular updates, news, images, and more on our Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram accounts.

 

 

Frigibar President Shuly Oletzky Featured On Entrepreneur Podcast Network

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Frigibar President Shuly Oletzky joined host Eric Dye on the Entrepreneur Podcast Network to discuss personal, business branding and relationship building. Here is the full transcript of the interview.

Frigibar Featured on Entrepreneur Podcast Network

Eric Dye: Frigibar is in Marine Refrigeration, which sounds like a very niche industry. How does Frigibar stand out in the industry?

Shuly Oletzky: “Frigibar has been around for about 45 years, and one of the things that we do to stand out in our industry is to provide exceptional quality products for our customers that not only enhance their lifestyle out on the water, but also helps them solve common problems that they come up against on their vessel.”

ED: Being an entrepreneur for you is about more than just running a business. You write for the Huffington Post business blog, exhibit at boat shows, go to networking events and conferences. Why are these types of efforts important for entrepreneurs?

SO: “You have to let people know that you’re out there. Getting out there, getting to trade shows, writing articles that are important to your consumers and partners — let’s them know that you exist. This is key in making sure that your business survives.

It also helps me meet new people and collaborate on new ideas and opportunities. In addition to that, I’ve found a lot of mentors by going to different events and conferences that have helped me in my business. “

ED: With a luxury product, something at the top price point in the market, how do you approach customer service and why is this extremely important for a luxury product?

SO: “Customer service is important because it makes people feel special. It makes them feel like you care, not only about their problems, but about their best interests. We provide customer service to a level that if we’re not the best product of fit for them, we will help them find that best product or fit for them.

We also know that there are a lot of companies out there that don’t provide customer service. We’re happy to do it because in addition to making people feel good, it also helps build our relationships with our customers.”

ED: For something like a refrigerator or freezer, how can you demonstrate it’s value over a product less than half of the price?

SO: “Consumer education is extremely important. Helping the consumers to understand why our products are different and why it’s specifically designed to be in the environment in which they’re in. Being on a boat is much different than being on land, and we build a product that accommodates that.

For example, we have a customer that is very hard on our units. We do our best to learn what it is that they need, and accommodate them by altering the products. They know that the general refrigerator that they can buy at a store won’t stand up.

That’s one of the things that we can also do for our customers, is customizing the products to meet the exact qualifications for their needs.”

ED: Partnerships are something valuable to every entrepreneur on the planet. Can you detail how you go about forming partnerships with other businesses and some tips for our audience of entrepreneurs?

SO: “I have to like the people I work with. Making sure that we get along, that we have some synchronicity, and that we can benefit from knowing and working with each other is key. When developing partnerships and relationships with other businesses, it’s important not only to complement our business, but hopefully give them some value as well.”

Listen to the full episode here on the Entrepreneur Podcast Network

Concluding Tip

SO: “One tip that I like to share with entrepreneurs is to write thank you notes. People don’t write many thank you notes anymore. When you can share with a customer that not only did you value the time that they took to spend with you to learn about whatever product or service that you had to offer them, but that you remembered speaking with them and that you were there to help them when they are ready.

Be very careful to not try to sell in your thank you note. Thank you notes are just about being gracious and showing your gratitude for the fact that they took the time to inquire.”

About Shuly Oletzky:

Shuly is the President of Frigibar Industries, Inc., America’s foremost manufacturer of quality marine refrigeration products, including fiberglass cockpit freezers and refrigerators, deck and dock boxes, ice chests and refrigeration kits for boats and yachts. Frigibar is a family-owned company that has been serving the Miami, Florida community and beyond for over 40 years. Shuly also serves on the Board of Directors for Easter Seals Florida, is the Co-Vice Chair of Easter Seals Get Down to Business Lunch in Palm Beach, Boat Show Committee Member for the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), and is an alumni of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Businesses program and Leadership Palm Beach County (LPBC).

Learn more about Shuly Oletzky at ShareIdeaswithPurpose.com