Auxiliary coolers...Yeti, Pelican etc...>>

[Heron]

Like most of us I have a relatively small Norcold Refridgerator... Fine for a few days out, but a bit cramped for more than several days. I looked into the high end coolers for back-up for Drinks, Wine, Misc. etc. Read the reviews, Looked at sizes and pricing. Decided on the 35 Qt. Pelican over the Widely praised Yeti. Better reviews, 2/3rds the price. Quality is stellar. Will serve as both seating and cocktail table functions on my boat. This thing is built like a tank. Solid latches and hardware. Bigger than expected, but the 7-10 day ice retention is likely worth it when we start to do some Week long cruising.
This is a REALLY nice piece of gear if you have a need...

 

[Delta_JimS]

I liked the Koolatron:

Amazon.com: Koolatron P75 36-Quart Kool Kaddy Electric Cooler/Warmer, Light Grey: Automotive

Runs off my house batteries forever. A bit weak if you are enduring 90* heat for days on end, (cools 40* below ambient) like summer in FL or the Delta.
Pretty power efficient.

 

[Wayfarer]

I almost threw up when I saw how much some of those yetis cost. I ended up with an igloo marine elite with a snap on cushion. The reviews said the cushion would eventually fail at the snaps, but the cooler itself is pretty decent. It's a mortgage payment cheaper, though. Plenty good enough for how I'll use it.

 

[windmill29130]

Like most of us I have a relatively small Norcold Refridgerator... Fine for a few days out, but a bit cramped for more than several days. I looked into the high end coolers for back-up for Drinks, Wine, Misc. etc. Read the reviews, Looked at sizes and pricing. Decided on the 35 Qt. Pelican over the Widely praised Yeti. Better reviews, 2/3rds the price. Quality is stellar. Will serve as both seating and cocktail table functions on my boat. This thing is built like a tank. Solid latches and hardware. Bigger than expected, but the 7-10 day ice retention is likely worth it when we start to do some Week long cruising.
This is a REALLY nice piece of gear if you have a need...

Looks like you can fit 2 six packs in there!

 

[Heron]

Looks like you can fit 2 six packs in there!

Yeah, but they'll be cold for a week! Buy a Coleman with 1/2" insulation if you only need A DAY!

 

[SCOTTEDAVIS]

2 Six-packs lasting a week, lol

Not on any boat I know of.


Looks like you could keep a bunch of frozen meat for a long time however, add 3 lbs of dry ice and go a real long time.

Drink coolers are opened too often to keep cold for a long time.

 

[caltexflanc]

The high end coolers are mostly for the avid amateur and professional fishing crowd, wher e the thing gets used almost constantly, stood on, kicked, hauled around and generally abused.

 

[dimer2]

" but the 7-10 day ice retention is likely worth it when we start to do some Week long cruising."


I have a yeti and even with several days precooling and limited open/closing only get 4 days.... Please let us know how it does when you start using it. Thx.

 

[Steve]

Even the small ones seem heavy, empty, then add ice and some fish!

 

[timjet]

We bought a Yeti and used it last summer cruising up the ICW. Keeping ice for 4 days is a stretch with constant 90 deg days and the cooler sitting on the sun deck with a towel over it. We used it only to keep drinks cool and it did a satisfactory job. A bit overpriced IMHO.

 

[READY2GO]

As with almost all things boating, one person will find something useless while another cannot live without it.

I can see great value in the ops cooler. I would not use it for drinks, but put a block of ice (not a bag) and your frozen meat and you will probably keep your meat for a week or more. Block ice being the key. If block is not available just freeze some in milk jugs. We have a cheaper Igloo 7 day cooler and with block ice it is fine for 3 days using it for drinks.

 

[Carolena]

One other option that is less expensive than Yeti is Engle. We've been using one for the past year and are very happy with it.

 

[TDunn]

I have an Engel 40 qt. It will make ice or keep whatever you put in it cold indefinitely. The compressor runs about 5 minutes an hour drawing 3.5 amps. My solar panels more than keep up with it so I leave it on all the time. It is nice to have cold beverages waiting when I come aboard.

 

[refugio]

I have the Edgestar 80qt on my boat deck. Love it, but I'm under cover most of the year. And I added small deflectors to keep rain out of the cooling grill.
Edgestar 80 QT Portable Fridge/freezer - Grey https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003V3WINK/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_FYrAvb0BNTPTH