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"5-day" coolers worth the price?

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TomA
1st Mate

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USA
91 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/14/2004 : 10:44:02

Has anyone had experience with the "super coolers" that are supposed to keep ice frozen for 5 days? I have seen these coolers offered by West Marine and others. Do they work better than other coolers? Are they worth the money?

Tom

Tom Albright

Edited by - TomA on 03/14/2004 11:09:38

lcharlot
Master Marine Consultant

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Antigua and Barbuda
1301 Posts

Response Posted - 03/14/2004 : 10:54:07

The only difference between the regular and "5-day" coolers is the thickness of the insulation. The 5-day coolers have maybe 1/2" to 3/4" thicker insulation, and while they are a little more efficient at "keeping cool", you lose a significant percentage of capacity. For example, two coolers of the same outside dimension - the regular cooler is 48 quarts, the "5-day" cooler will be only 36 quarts.

I think the "5-day" cooler would enjoy a real advantage if you were using it with dry ice to keep meat or ice cream frozen for an extended cruise. Dry ice is pretty expensive, about a dollar a pound, so they increase in thermal efficiency would be worth the loss of volume capacity. Regular ice is cheap and widely available, and I would rather have the most capacity. It's hard enough to find space on a 25' sailboat to pack gear for a two week cruise without carrying a whole extra ice chest because the "5-day" ones are so small inside.

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Doug
Captain

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USA
457 Posts

Response Posted - 03/14/2004 : 11:09:37

One of the most important things I found with coolers is to buy white ones. The simple change of color reflects more heat away from the cooler and makes the ice last longer.

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TomA
1st Mate

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USA
91 Posts

Response Posted - 03/14/2004 : 13:18:21

Doug, Do you keep your cooler in the cockpit? I wonder if the color would make any difference if the cooler is in the cabin, away from the sun.

I'm still experimenting with the best place to put the cooler. Generally, I store it in the quarterberth or on the cabin sole. I've thought about adding bungee cords to help keep it secure, but am reluctant to drill more holes. I'd be interested to know how other people keep their coolers stationary.

Tom

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Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 03/14/2004 : 14:56:33

For my Keys trip I kept two of the "untra cold" 54 quart coolers in the cabin. I installed some stainless steel U strap brackets on the sides of the seats, and one on the bulkhead near the handles. I then tied small pieces of nylon rope from them to the cooler. I also placed a space blanket, foil side up on them to keep the sun off of them.
I use one cooler for food, and one for beverages. I like to have an extra bag of ice on top of the beverages still in the bag. This is designated as "Cocktail Ice" and is used for Gin and Tonics. One of the factors in keeping ice is how many times you open up the cooler. If you really are concerned about time, split up your coolers, and duct tape your future days cooler shut until you need it. This is what the outfitters who run trips down the Grand Canyon do.
I like to have lots of fresh food, and lots of cold beverages on my trips. The minimalists can keep to freeze dried if they want to.

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TomA
1st Mate

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USA
91 Posts

Response Posted - 03/14/2004 : 15:46:05

Frank, I agree with you about having fresh food!

I'm trying to visualize your setup. Did you put U-bolts on the port side bulkhead and the vertical surface of the setee, so that the cooler(s) sits under the table?

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Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 03/14/2004 : 16:21:28

Tom
I took the table out of the boat completely. Don't use it.
I used the wrong term. I don't use U-bolts. I looked up the part and it is called an Eye Strap, page 944 of the 2004 boat US catalog. (first catalog I grabbed from the shelf) I don't remember where I got them though. They are attached with two 3/16" machine bolts and nuts. I drilled through the vertical surface of the settee. One of them I screwed to the port bulkhead. They don't stick out very far, so they won't get in the way of anything.
I'm considering some way to make a queen size bed in my boat over the coolers. I may have to raise my settee height about 3 inches or so, or go to the 33 quart cooler. I don't like the 33 quart ones as they have non insulated tops and don't keep ice worth a darn.
Maybe I should just buy a 36 footer, but trailering would be a bitch.

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TomA
1st Mate

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USA
91 Posts

Response Posted - 03/14/2004 : 16:38:26

Frank, Thanks, I see what you're talking about in the catalog. That looks like a great solution.

BTW, I was really interested in your comments about the Keys. I'd love to make a trip like that, but we have no trailer. We sail in Mobile Bay and points east. Unfortunately, there's a lot of big water between us and Key West.

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eric.werkowitz
Captain

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USA
283 Posts

Response Posted - 03/14/2004 : 18:09:19

Tom,

I bought one of the super insulated Igloos at Sam's Club for $30. When I saw similar units at West Marine for twice the price I was not surprised. Of course, I'm sure they were "marine grade"...

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pwhallon
Admiral

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USA
694 Posts

Response Posted - 03/14/2004 : 18:46:15

<font size="3">I got mine at wal-mart for $19.00.

It works great. It's a "Coleman 5 Day Cooler".

PW</font id="size3">

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Scotd
Navigator

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USA
136 Posts

Response Posted - 03/14/2004 : 19:44:44

How good is the Ice box in the boat. How long does a block of ice last in that? Does anyone use it?

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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 03/14/2004 : 19:59:04

"How good is the Ice box in the boat. How long does a block of ice last in that? Does anyone use it?"

Not very.
Not very long.
Not very many. (grins)

Some folks here have done extensive 'reinsulation' projects on them. Others simply use the icebox for 'dry storage' and go with luggable coolers as a more practical solution.

IMHO, I'd lean to solution #2

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Doug
Captain

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USA
457 Posts

Response Posted - 03/14/2004 : 20:18:42

I usually keep a cooler in the cabin and one in the Port lazerette (SP?)or on the cockpit floor. One full of food and the other with drink. When we're out for long days or overnight we still get enough sun in the cabin to make the white coolers worth it. It's easy to see the difference-think of how hot blue carpets, cockpit cushions and the like get compared to the white fiberglass.

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rford
1st Mate

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USA
73 Posts

Response Posted - 03/14/2004 : 20:26:17

I have a 5-day Coleman and a 3-day Igloo both are great. The Igloo is a great size for day trips. My Coleman is a little smaller than I would like but I got a good deal at the Coleman outlet and at the time the size fit my needs.

I think they are worth the $$ ... much better than other coolers and you can get a good price on them at Sam's or other "outlet" type stores.

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