Topic: The Best Boat Coolers of 2022 (Read 147 times)
previous topic - next topic
It's your post, so post it!
Key Features
Why It Made the Cut
co*pact design is highly mobile, yet it doesn’t give up anything in terms of engineering.
Pros
Cons
Product Description
I received one of these totes as a door prize at a remote fishing event. I didn’t think much of it until it was time to fly home, at which point it became the perfect “personal item” for stuffing under the seat in front of me. Since then, it almost never leaves my side. The refrigerator at work died, so I use the Orca Walker to keep my lunch cool all day. I also use it on road trips, and I throw it in the truck or the boat just about anytime I go anywhere. It only weighs 3.6 pounds, but it’ll hold up to 50, and it’s the perfect size for slotting into spare spaces without getting in the way. Most importantly of all, I’ve left a cold beer on ice in it on the back deck through multiple 90-degree plus days and co*e home to find it still icy and refreshing.
Key Features
Why It Made the Cut
Heavy-duty cooling abilities without the price of others in its class.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
Product Description
If you’re looking for the heavy-duty, long-term, virtually-unbreakable performance made popular by brands like Yeti, but can’t stomach or afford the cost of their products, RTIC makes a reasonable facsimile that does the job quite well. I’ve used them on camping trips and river expeditions and found their performance excellent, especially at their price points. If you’re looking for a true monster-sized model for your 80-foot cruiser, you might have to look to one of the more expensive brands, but if that’s the case, you’re likely not particularly budget-conscious. These are widely available and will act “as a portable refrigerator” in all but the most abusive conditions.
Key Features
Why it Made the Cut
Modern version of a long-term staple has a proven design and will keep ice, fish and drinks cold for a surprisingly long time.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
Product Description
If you’ve been around boats for any period of time, then you should be well aware of the long history and reputation for quality of the Igloo brand. While this isn’t their flagship model, in some ways, it’s where the rubber hits the road, a perfect equilibrium of quality, weight, performance, and value. Whether you’re carrying it up the dock full of mahi fillets, or to a seat on the lawn at your favorite concert venue, these models will generally do the job of the high-tech, more recent technology, with less weight and less cost. Is it as heavy-duty as some of the others? Perhaps not, but make sure you’re only paying for what you really need, and not an image of who you’d rather be. These coolers even have a fish ruler molded into the top to check the size and legality of your catch. If you’re on budget, the Igloo Marine Ultra is one of the best boat coolers for the money.
Key Features
Why it Made the Cut
Looks like a picnic basket, and it can serve that purpose, but it’s really a near-bulletproof cooler in fancy clothing.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
Product Description
I acquired the M30 soft cooler before my first trip to Panama as a means of bringing home 30 pounds of yellowfin tuna filets, but I wasn’t really sold on it until I tried it. I mean, how is it possible that a magnetically-sealed top won’t allow melting ice to leak through? Well, it’s possible for two reasons: First, this boat cooler holds ice seemingly forever; and second, that magnet is super strong and sealed, locking cold in. We checked it through as luggage on the way home, and even after lengthy delays, our precious tuna was still frozen solid. The nice thing about this item is that if you’re flying, it can be checked or carried on and is equally appropriate for both. On a boat, it slips into a storage co*partment or any fairly thin gap, staying out of the way until you need it. Furthermore, they’ve packed it full of extra features, like a grid for hitching accessories and heavy-duty buckles for the unlikely possibility that the magnets fail. We’ve put this one through the wringer, and it still looks new despite being hauled across multiple continents.
Key Features
Why it Made the Cut
No-nonsense design is perfect for floating behind an inner tube, kayak, paddleboard, or canoe.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
Product Description
For generations, anglers and boaters have tried to find a way to secure a cooler outside of their one- or two-person boat when space does not allow them to keep one in it. They’ve placed them on innertubes or other contraptions, and the result is almost always inconvenience or abject failure. CreekKooler has solved this with a design that is purpose-driven for this particular mission. It flows easily, without adding resistance, yet has the heft necessary to keep your drinks cold and to prevent damage if it bounces off a rock or dock piling. If you want to get into out-of-the-way hidey holes or float with your hands free, this will get the job done. The CreekKooler even has slots for koozies on the deck so you can paddle or fish without having to find another place to secure your drink.
Key Features
Why It Made the Cut
Technical backpack features hide a top-notch, feature-laden cooler that’s co*fortable to carry all day.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
Product Description
If you expect to be portaging your boat a long way, or wading through a flyout adventure, or even standing in the customs line with your imported filets for an extended period of time, holding a shoulder strap can be tough and annoying. By placing your weight on your back, instead, you can save the stress. Assuming, that is, your carrying device is ergonomically-designed. The IceMule fits that bill with padded shoulder straps, an adjustable hip belt, and a cross-chest stabilizer strap, but it doesn’t give up any toughness or waterproofness to get there. In fact, they’ve overengineered this model to keep the cold stuff cold, yet they’ve somehow kept it remarkably lightweight. It’s perfect for a float plane or any sized boat, and if you buy one in lieu of a hard-sided cooler, you’ll get double value as it also functions as a boat bag or general piece of luggage.
There are certain things no boat is co*plete without like the best fish finders, the best trolling motors, and a good cooler. I’ve used all three of those boat accessories on my boats and on charters. As noted above, I’ve learned the value of a quality cooler the hard way through dehydration, food poisoning, spoiled fish, and general disco*fort. But I’ve also learned that having the wrong cooler is almost as bad as none at all. If you can’t carry it or fit it where you’re going, it detracts from the overall experience. Whether it’s a fly-in in Alaska or a tenting overnight in the Amazon, having the right version for what you need—no more, no less—is a trip-specific endeavor.
You can use coolers from 20 to 160 quarts for fishing, and the size of the cooler you use will depend on the size of your vessel and the size of the fish you’re catching.
A 45 quart Yeti is a great all around size for a cooler. It works great as a seat as well as a drinks and food.
For deep sea fishing, you’ll want a large cooler that’s 75 quarts or larger, depending on the target species.
I don’t leave the ramp without one of the best boat coolers, and whether you’re packing a lunch or bringing home meat you’ll want one of the coolers too. Choose the one that best fits your needs and you’ll enjoy cold drinks and quality fillets for years to co*e.
The post The Best Boat Coolers of 2022 appeared first on Outdoor Life.
[/html]