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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

5 Day Cooler that fits in C250 galley

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TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/21/2014 : 20:44:04

I want a better cooler for the boat, since I'm hoping to do some 5-7 day cruises this summer. I'm willing to give up some space in the cooler for better insulation, but I want it to fit in the galley space as designed, and have some space at the top to open it without removing it.

[url="http://www.target.com/p/coleman-48-quart-cooler/-/A-10885782?ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001&AFID=google_pla_df&LNM=10885782&CPNG=Sports&kpid=10885782&LID=14pgs&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=10885782&gclid=CjgKEAjwnfGbBRDlxoHrl6uikyESJAD-nzCFLrkHAO54bXj2z6AZFrtnOydUlFNlVxVcoeXdDWcN3vD_BwE"]Here's[/url] the stock cooler that I currently have. [url="http://www.walmart.com/ip/Coleman-36-Quart-Extreeme-Cooler/19268482"]This one[/url] has almost identical exterior dimensions but is rated for 5 days (due to 2" thick walls), and the comments on Amazon and elsewhere indicate that in actual use it does last for 4-5 days.

Searching old archived threads, it looks like some others have mentioned and [url="http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2776020&KPID=3819577&cagpspn=pla&CAWELAID=109400143"]Igloo 50[/url] or 54 quart 5-day coolers, but they look way too big.

Do any of you have actual experience with any of these coolers?

Rick S., Swarthmore, PA
PO of Take Five, 1998 Catalina 250WK #348 (relocated to Baltimore's Inner Harbor)
New owner of 2001 Catalina 34MkII #1535 Breakin' Away (at Rock Hall Landing Marina)

Edited by - TakeFive on 05/21/2014 20:44:51

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 05/21/2014 : 20:57:20

I have a 40 qt. version of the Maxcold 5 day cooler like in your 3rd link above and it does work good.

I've loaded it up with ice on a Friday night, sailed for 3 hours on a hot Saturday, and then left it in my closed up truck for 1-1/2 to 2 days when it was near 100 degrees outside and it still had ice in it although it was probably 60% really cold water by that time. If it had not been in the hot truck it would have easily lasted 4 - 5 days.

The only thing any better than these is a Yeti for about 5 times the price!

[url="http://yeticoolers.com/coolers/shop-by-activity/fishing-marine-coolers/"]Yeti[/url]

Edited by - GaryB on 05/21/2014 21:04:34

Davy J
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1511 Posts

Response Posted - 05/22/2014 : 04:33:56

We had a Coleman like the link from Walmart, sold it at a garage sale. We switched to the 54 quart Igloo Marine cooler and the ice lasted much longer. It is slightly larger than the Coleman though.

Two tips;
1) I dropped a small aquarium pump in the bottom of the cooler with a few feet of vinyl tubing. When needed, I could pump the water out without having to drag the cooler out on deck, (I have an inverter).

2) I got tired of trying to find ice, especially when anchored in remote locations, so I purchased an Engle. Expensive, but worth every penny. BTW, if you go this route, you won't need as large a unit as a cooler because you don't need all that ice.

Edited by - on

britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 05/22/2014 : 06:53:07

The 5 day cooler we purchased would not fit with the handles on each end.

I removed the handles and their retainer fittings, and moved them to the front and back faces of the cooler.

That allowed it to fit just nicely, and the handle on the front made it easy to pull out (to midships) in order to open the lid.

A couple of years ago we took the plunge and got the Dometic 12/110v cooler freezer, works great. As discussed above, no need for ice. But we also freeze down anything that will without harm before putting it in the cooler freezer.

Paul

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Davy J
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1511 Posts

Response Posted - 05/22/2014 : 07:28:35

Paul's post reminded me that I have a Dometic CF-35 that I used on one long trip inconjuction with the Engle. I used one as a fridge the other as a freezer. I'll probably put it up for sale, however, shipping it might be pricey?

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TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 05/22/2014 : 08:04:59

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by britinusa
 The 5 day cooler we purchased would not fit with the handles on each end.

I removed the handles and their retainer fittings, and moved them to the front and back faces of the cooler.

That allowed it to fit just nicely, and the handle on the front made it easy to pull out (to midships) in order to open the lid.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
What cooler did you buy? I don't mind modding handles, but it must fit in the designed galley space.

Edited by - TakeFive on 05/22/2014 08:11:29

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 05/22/2014 : 09:57:36

This probably won't be helpful, but we use the original ice melter as storage space for pots & pans, etc. Then we bring on either a 5 day cooler which we bungee into place below the table, or we'll bring our Waeco (which is a bit smaller, but can actually freeze food if necessary), and bungee it in place with a couple of pillows / life vests, etc. to keep it from sliding from side to side. It will conveniently plug into the 12V outlet next to the port side reading light. One of the 5 day coolers doesn't need to be wedged as it's wide enough to fit well, but the smaller one (which is also the most convenient since it has wheels) needs to be wedged as well.

Either of the extra coolers are a bit in the way, but usually end up as foot stools or seats in the cabin.

Edited by - on

mikesuej
Navigator

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USA
119 Posts

Response Posted - 05/27/2014 : 18:59:51

I installed a Yeti 35 quart cooler, complete with slide-out drawer and powered water drain. It works fantastically - we filled it with ice and drinks two weekends ago and when we came back this Sunday, the water was still COOL - like COLD. No ice left, but drink were chilled after two weeks in 80 degreeish weather. It can easily keep ice for a week. Check out the picture here. The It is plumbed with a Y-valve to switch between the pump drawing from the house water tank or the cooler - second pic from top left http://seatitude.homestead.com/

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Tradewind
Admiral

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531 Posts

Response Posted - 05/28/2014 : 06:50:28

A little OT but thanks for the album Mike, beautiful upgrades and I now have many ideas!

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mikesuej
Navigator

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USA
119 Posts

Response Posted - 05/28/2014 : 06:59:29

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Tradewind
 A little OT but thanks for the album Mike, beautiful upgrades and I now have many ideas!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Do you mean OT as in off topic, over the top, or both? Actually, hauling out a 35 quart cooler every weekend to dump the water either overboard or into the bilge is a back killer. Being able to simply turn the valve and hit the switch to blow 20 quarts of water out of the cooler without lifting a finger is one of the best things I've done to the boat. Plus during the summer months, the Yeti Cooler keeps the water cool, and therefore "fresh" for two weeks.

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Tradewind
Admiral

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USA
531 Posts

Response Posted - 05/28/2014 : 12:28:00

That's a great idea to empty the cooler water. I didn't mean to hijack the thread commenting on the nice upgrades, I like the slide out shelf for the ice chest also. And the davit for engine removal, gotta have one of those! Hauling out every year for annual engine maintenance is a lot of work and expensive.

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