Where Do You Put Your Cooler?

[LippCJ7]

Re: Where Do You Put Your Cooler?

Thanks to everyone who posted. There's some good stuff in here. Most of the assumptions made about our limitations are correct: we are a bit limited by price and availability in our area.

We're being patient, but want to try to take advantage of the season and economy to save money on a purchase that we might not be able to make at another time.

I'll also pitch in our #1 priority: reliability. While we have occasionally run across boats that would serve our layout purposes better, I am aiming for a boat that is in the best mechanical condition I can afford.

Thanks for all the replies!

Reliability is always tops in priorities especially when your talking a family boat so your no different then anyone else there Bud. So whats the budget were looking at? Also your in South Dakota which really isn't so bad there if your willing to drive a little bit, Minnesota and Colorado have lots of boats and your right in the middle, I bet you don't want to drive that far right? I think you should consider it as your market will quadruple if not more. Give me some numbers and priorities, I can look here in CO and help you from this side, I am sure we can find someone to the east of you to help out as well and go from there, but we need to know specifics, budget, makes your interested in, motor options(IE are you looking for power or fuel efficiency), you know give us some ideas. But budget is first, $5000 to $10,000, $10,000 to $15,000 etc where are we at? Don't be shy bud were all in different situations but were all boaters, its part of becoming part of the family.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Where Do You Put Your Cooler?

http://denver.craigslist.org/boa/2034780946.html 99 Rinker 212 $13000
http://denver.craigslist.org/boa/2034650905.html 01 Rinker 180 $10000
http://denver.craigslist.org/boa/2032933470.html 00 Bayliner 21' $15500
http://denver.craigslist.org/boa/2030691625.html 01 Cobalt 206 $23350
http://denver.craigslist.org/boa/2029392933.html 02 Crownline 202 $16000
http://www.boatcrazy.com/search/det...3999&dealerid=&highlight=&select=&link=&text= Check this out! Crownline 02 266br $19500 with 140 hours at LOTO Not sure any of these fit your bill but the Craigslist ads are from this last week, Boat Crazy is another good resource. if its to far from you then we just add a few things like marine survey and transportation and see where were at.

 

[krowey]

Re: Where Do You Put Your Cooler?

in my 19' bowrider i usually put a large garbage bag in the ski locker in the floor. i don't use it for anything else. works out great for us, stays cold and out of the way

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Where Do You Put Your Cooler?

Look at a center console with built in bow seating--those "seats" have storage under them (that can be used for fish lockers or coolers) and the seat in front of the console ofter is a cooler, and the driver's seat will hold a cooler. When you compare boats of equal length, many CC's are far roomier than BR's, which is why they are very popular family and all-purpose boats.
If you can't walk around a marina or boat yard to compare, just look at new boat designs/floor plans to get an idea.

But if you want to carry 6-8 people comfortably you need a boat rated for 8-10. You really can't max out the persons capacity and be comfortable unless you just like sitting and looking.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Where Do You Put Your Cooler?

I have a 35qt cooler that fits perfect in the walk-way to the bow. In the middle of the deck is the worst spot as they always seem to get in the way if I have the the wife and kids on board, 4 people.

 

[marktwainsonic]

Re: Where Do You Put Your Cooler?

Reliability is always tops in priorities especially when your talking a family boat so your no different then anyone else there Bud. So whats the budget were looking at? Also your in South Dakota which really isn't so bad there if your willing to drive a little bit, Minnesota and Colorado have lots of boats and your right in the middle, I bet you don't want to drive that far right? I think you should consider it as your market will quadruple if not more. Give me some numbers and priorities, I can look here in CO and help you from this side, I am sure we can find someone to the east of you to help out as well and go from there, but we need to know specifics, budget, makes your interested in, motor options(IE are you looking for power or fuel efficiency), you know give us some ideas. But budget is first, $5000 to $10,000, $10,000 to $15,000 etc where are we at? Don't be shy bud were all in different situations but were all boaters, its part of becoming part of the family.

Thanks for the help. Not a bit ashamed about my price range. I'd like to be around 5K. Looking 4500 to 5500.

I'm a little more hesitant about trying to take a trip to see/buy a boat. I understand the advantage, but we're pretty much running pillar to post just to get everything done as it is, so convenience plays a role in what we can see and buy.

Willing to consider anything reliable, roomy, that is a good to great deal.

I don't always have indoor storage, so something that really shirks off the weather would be a bonus (I had a fiberglass floor Four Winns that we loved for ease of cleaning and weather durability). I'd prefer an outboard because of the efficiency of service. Monthly budget is tight for the next couple of years.

Don't know about traveling, but I'm always willing to listen!

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Where Do You Put Your Cooler?

If your budget is $5000 for a boat to hold 6-8, which is 19-21' +, you better inspect them carefully; you will be buying a 15 year old boat.
Consider getting something less likely to have hidden defects--you're on the right track with an outboard.
And for weather proof, you want all fiberglass, removable upholstery, and scuppers (deck drains overboard). So built-in fiberglass seat/lockers that you put cushions on, is what you want.

 

[marktwainsonic]

Re: Where Do You Put Your Cooler?

If your budget is $5000 for a boat to hold 6-8, which is 19-21' +, you better inspect them carefully; you will be buying a 15 year old boat.
Consider getting something less likely to have hidden defects--you're on the right track with an outboard.
And for weather proof, you want all fiberglass, removable upholstery, and scuppers (deck drains overboard). So built-in fiberglass seat/lockers that you put cushions on, is what you want.

Thanks, Cookin'.

Any easy source to find out what the floors are made of? I've found a few where it's an easy check, but most that are carpeted I and the PO have no clue what's underneath. So far looking at Sea Rays, Rinkers, and one Marada.

 

[blifsey]

Re: Where Do You Put Your Cooler?

The Glastron GX205 we had was "sport seating" and there was room to put cooler right behind captain's helm chair. Nobody sat on it while underway but it was an OK seat or foot stool when anchored in a cover relaxing.

With new Tidewater bay boat, the cooler is the Center Console seat.

To help with storage, I bought a large mesh bag made for holding footballs, soccer balls, etc. and kept our "every trip" life jackets and Type IV throwable in it. I put it in front of the passenger seat and tied draw string to grab rail. I figured there was no reason to put them in storage just to be the first thing pulled out when we got to lake and last thing put in storage when we left. The wind from tow home also completely dries them out.

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: Where Do You Put Your Cooler?

We have a Tahoe Q7. The rear seats used to have a board underneath to support the seats. Completely unaccessible, the seats were bolted down. I pulled the board out and put pedestals instead. We picked up a pair of coleman party stackers. They fit perfect right under the seats, and are easy to get to. One gets beverages, the other gets food. When we got our boat, we had absolutely NO storage, now we have plenty. I think it is more of having the right cooler than actual storage on a boat. I know that I will be looking at storage in my next boat. I got such a good deal on this boat that I didnt care, but since then I have cut holes in my consoles and installed doors, modified the rear seat support to accomodate the coolers, and now I have more than I need.

We have about 20 coolers here now. We kept buying coolers trying to find a better one for the boat. These colemans ended up being perfect.


Here are the coolers we use. The biggest issue is that there is no latch, so if they are not under the seats the lids blow off on the way to the river. LOL.

http://www.coleman.com/coleman/colemancom/detail.asp?product_id=3000000451&categoryid=8516

 

[cr2k]

Re: Where Do You Put Your Cooler?

My wife bought one of the "Cube" coolers. They are square and a little taller.
We put it right in front of the dog house. Can be used to sit on if needed, but doesn't really take up much floor space and is easy to get at and around, plus it has little drink holders that snap in to it, which our boat is lacking.

 

[hostage]

Re: Where Do You Put Your Cooler?

I keep mine in the cuddy, but thinking about attaching it to swim platform.

I started with a budget of $5k when I was first looking for a boat. It was based off what I wanted to spend, not off what I could afford etc. I looked at Cuddy's and Open bows in the 18-20ft range. After a lot of research I decided to with a 2000 Maxum 1900 SC (Cuddy) $7,500. It has seating for 6 in the cockpit and the cuddy Cabin that I could just throw in a cooler or what ever I wanted in there and keep it dry. The floors were fiberglass w/ snap in carpet. I can legally fit 8 people or 1100 pounds.

The reason I went with a Cuddy over a bow rider.
1) Mostly g/f and I will ride on it
2) Would go on Lake Ontario (better sea keep)
3) Wanted to go camping on the boat.

I am also putting a bit of money into it, bimini, new bellows, etc.

Other than that I might have gotten a bow rider. It will be hard to find a boat with everything you want for that cheap. It might be best if you do more research and save a little bit more money. Boating isn't cheap and if you get something that is really old, then chances are it will have more things that can go wrong.

-Hostage

 

[stealthdrummer]

Re: Where Do You Put Your Cooler?

My kids love sitting in the bow seating. It might be due to the exposed motor in the back and they have something to hold onto in the front. As far as where the cooler goes we usually put it behind the drivers seat and the other bags under the passenger console.

http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx221/stealthdrummer/boat/interior.jpg

http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx221/stealthdrummer/boat/DSC00566.jpg

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Where Do You Put Your Cooler?

http://denver.craigslist.org/boa/2036880399.html 01 Bayliner,needs more motor!
http://denver.craigslist.org/boa/2031203914.html 98 bayliner, I/O this one has possibilities
http://denver.craigslist.org/boa/2030647500.html 85 Rinker, not sure but who knows?
http://denver.craigslist.org/boa/2030350769.html 01 Glastron, more possibilities
http://denver.craigslist.org/boa/2025663047.html 99 Stingray, nice boat needs more motor(always an issue for me)
http://denver.craigslist.org/boa/2024534403.html 91 Chapparal, he's priced too high

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Where Do You Put Your Cooler?

check this one out?
http://denver.craigslist.org/boa/2021000252.html 97 Maxum

http://denver.craigslist.org/boa/2020841391.html 85 ski supreme, this one has enough motor!

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Where Do You Put Your Cooler?

Have you considered a walk-around cuddy cabin, such as the early 90's Trophy? They are 20' (model #2002). You get two forward facing pedistal chairs, 2 forward facing aft seats, a bow seat in front, and seating for 4 adults (or 6 kids) in the cuddy. It has a table below that drops to make a larger berth and covers a porta-potti. They are running 4000-6000 dollars.

There's even more room if you get one with an outboard. I had one at it had TONS of room.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Where Do You Put Your Cooler?

Mark, by fiberglass floor I mean fiberglass with nothing on it. You do not want carpet, in your situation.

 

[marktwainsonic]

Re: Where Do You Put Your Cooler?

Thanks for all the suggestions.

Actually, here's one that seems pretty good for us right off of iboats:

http://boats.iboats.com/1993-sea-ray-boats-220-brsr/676831.html

Anybody know this boat, the owner, or from the immediate area?

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Where Do You Put Your Cooler?

Thanks for all the suggestions.

Actually, here's one that seems pretty good for us right off of iboats:

http://boats.iboats.com/1993-sea-ray-boats-220-brsr/676831.html

Anybody know this boat, the owner, or from the immediate area?

I would give it a day, and then start a new thread asking for help near yatta yatta MN(I can't remember the name) someone will go look at it for you, I'm sure of it. Looks like a good boat from the pics, have whoever goes and looks at it for you get lots more though, and all the good info like hours and stuff. I also look at the hull in as many areas as I can, bring a flashlight, basically I am looking at areas that nobody cleans,these areas tell you alot about the overall care of the boat, if the boat is clean in these areas thats a great sign. if you have time have them get an oil sample from the motor and outdrive and have it checked etc.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Where Do You Put Your Cooler?

Just as a side-note on the Mark Twain. If you design is anything like mine, then you have two jump seats at the stern on each side of the doghouse. I usually remove the port-side seat (leave it on the dock/at home) and stick the cooler there. That's the side which my ladder is on, so the cooler makes a nice "step" for people getting in/out of the boat.