If you love to go boating, you know that it can be challenging to keep your food and drinks cold, especially during those hot summer days on the water. To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of the best coolers for boating that are sure to keep your items perfectly chilled for hours.
Not only are coolers necessary for keeping drinks and food cold, but they can also provide extra storage space on your boat. But with so many different types of coolers available, it can be difficult to know which one is best for boating.
In this post, we’ll be taking a look at some of the best coolers for boating trips so that you can make an informed decision when choosing the perfect cooler for your needs.
We’ll cover features such as size, insulation capacity, weight capacity, and more.
What Is A Boat Cooler?
Finding the right cooler for your pontoon boat depends on how you intend to use it. If you are planning to use your cooler for storing fish, you may need a rotomolded cooler, but if you just want a cooler to keep drinks cold and a few snacks, you may not wish to invest in such an expensive cooler.
However, even if you only want to keep food in your cooler for boating, it’s important to find a cooler that will adequately withstand the heat.
Coolers for boating have similar qualities to that of the ones we use for hiking, camping, or RVing. These coolers are often called marine coolers and offer extra features that work best on marine set up.
What Is Special About A Marine Cooler?
Marine-grade coolers are built to withstand the extreme weather conditions that boating entails. Compared to standard coolers, marine-grade coolers offer added features that are perfect for any marine environment and different water activity. These features include rust resistance, UV protection, and non-slip feature.
Best Coolers For Boating Features
When it comes to coolers used for boating, there are extra features included that you won’t typically find on a regular cooler. Here are some features that make a marine cooler for boating different from the rest.
- More insulation- Marine coolers usually offer thicker and better insulation to keep the contents cold for longer periods. And the greater the insulation means that you can also use them for freezing your fish until docking.
- Comes in lighter shades– These coolers are often exposed to the heat of the sun. They are built with lighter colors which are better in reflecting the rays of the sun as well as the heat it produces.
- Rust-resistant– Coolers are usually built with high-grade plastic, but some parts of it can develop rust over time, especially when exposed to saltwater. Most Marine coolers use rust-resistant components to keep your coolers in their best shape.
- Non-Slip– The best Boating coolers are equipped with non-slip feet/ bottom to prevent it from sliding all over the floor when you finally start your boats and get going.
- UV protection– With constant exposure to the sun’s UV rays, your coolers can be damaged over time. To prevent this from happening, manufacturers also included UV protection features in making the best coolers for boating.
Best Boat Coolers
Although coolers for boating work just the same as any other cooler which is to store and keep the items inside cool, it has extra features that are perfectly fit for life on a boat. Make sure you keep an eye out for these features when choosing the best coolers for boating.
Yeti has been a household name when it comes to making the best coolers that are impressively versatile may it be on land or the water. One of the best-selling and highly rated coolers on the market is the Yeti Tundra 65. This all-around cooler offers excellent insulation and durability topping other high-performing coolers on the market.
It is perfect for keeping your food and drinks cool in the field and works great to keep your baits or fish cold as well. Featuring a 3-inch PermaFrost Insulation and an extra thick FatWall design, it is made to prevent ice from melting in a short time. The Rotomolded Construction makes the Tundra extremely durable to the core to withstand extreme and rugged conditions.
Features
- FatWall Design
- Permafrost Insulation
- Rotomolded Construction
- T-Rex™ Lid Latches
- BearFoot™ Non-slip feet
- Anchorpoint™ Tie-down slots
Pros
- Superb insulation
- Extremely durable
- Easy to used and carry
- Nonslip feature
- Versatile
- Convenient design( perfectly square)
- Easy to mount on boats
Cons
- Expensive
- Tends to be too heavy to lift
Next on the list is the Igloo Marine Ultra Cooler which is packed with marine-grade features that work great for any boating trips and adventures. This fishing-ready cooler is extremely durable to withstand the harsh, wet environments that the boat life entails.
Igloo Marine coolers are built to keep your food and drinks chilled even on hot days with their excellent Ultratherm insulation in the body and lid. If you’ll notice, these coolers are designed to have round edges so you can carry them with ease without any sharp edges poking on your legs or damaging your rides. It has a UV protection feature that prevents any damages caused by the sun’s UV rays. It includes a rust-resistant stainless steel lid strap and screws that are made to withstand marine-life conditions.
Features
- UV inhibitors
- Rust-resistant stainless-steel screws and lid strap
- Marine-grade hinges
- Non-slip, comfort-grip handles
Pros
- Durable
- Excellent insulation
- Nonslip features
- Rust-resistant components
- Easy to carry and use
- UV protection
- Very affordable
- Lightweight
- Rounded edges
Cons
- Insulation is a bit thinner than other premium coolers on the market
The Coleman Coastal Xtreme marine cooler is built to be a reliable companion on your boating or fishing trips. It can store and keep your items chilled for longer periods, and prevent ice from melting for up to 5 days at temperatures up to 90 °F. Life on the boat can be tough sometimes, but its convenient and efficient features make things a little less difficult.
Coastal Xtreme series coolers offer thicker insulated walls than the traditional Coleman coolers which makes them better in ice retention. Its durable and sturdy lid design allows it to double as a temporary step stool or as an extra seat when you run out of one on your trips.
This high-capacity cooler can fit 100 cans and offers plenty of space for your food and beverages as well as your prized catch of the day.
Features
- UVGuard™ protection
- Xtreme® technology
- Leak-resistant channel drain
- Have-A-Seat™ Lid
- Comfort-grip no-crush handles
- Stainless steel hardware
- Built-In Cup Holders
Pros
- Thick wall for better insulation and ide retention
- Highly durable
- Rust-resistant hardware
- UV protection feature
- Large capacity
- Easy to carry and use
- Low CO2 insulation for reduced carbon emissions
- Easy draining
- Easy to clean
- Made in the USA
Cons
- Not convenient for small-sized boats
The rotomolded hard coolers & Ice boxed by Engel are built to last with its patented technologies. And one perfect example is the Engel 65 hard cooler that is built with 2 inches of high-density closed-cell polyurethane insulation in the lid, sides, and bottom for better ice retention and cooling capacity for up to 10 days. It has consistently delivered high-quality performance and durability over time and is an IGBC Certified bear-resistant container.
One impressive and defining feature of the Engel 65 is its silicone airtight gasket that creates a near airtight seal that is tough and doesn’t lose its shape and form as compared to most of its competitors that use rubber gasket.
Features
- Seamless rotationally-molded construction
- IGBC Certified Bear Resistant Container
- 2 inches of closed-cell foam insulation
- Silicone airtight gasket
- Adjustable recessed marine grade compression latches
- UV resistant construction
Pros
- High durable
- Almost airtight seal
- Uv protection
- Bear Resistant
- Ice retention for up to 10 days
- Compatible with dry ice
- Reinforced non-skid lid
- Reasonable price
- A convenient size for boating
Cons
- Some people have issue with the cooler’s drain system
Yeti has produced a long list of high-quality and durable coolers practically suited for different types of indoor or outdoor activities. One of the best coolers for boating is the Tundra 35 that comes with a FatWall Design like any other Tundra. This feature allows for better ice retention and increased insulation so you can keep your food and drinks chilled while you’re out in the sun.
The Tundra 35 is very convenient for small to medium-sized boats and a carrying capacity of up to 20 cans with a recommended 2:1 ice-to-contents ratio. All Tundra coolers come with T-Rex lid latches made from heavy-duty rubber.
Features
- 3 inches of PermaFrost Insulation
- FatWall design
- Rotomolded Construction
- T-Rex Lid Latches
- Budge-resistant padding
Pros
- Durable
- Well insulated
- Great Ice retention
- Portable
- Compact
- Easy to carry and use
- Nonmarking rubber feet
Cons
- A bit expensive for its size
The AO soft-sided cooler offers twice the insulation compared to most of its competitors and is guaranteed to hold ice for 24 hours in 120-degree weather. It is perfect for boating, fishing, picnics, and other outdoor activities. It is made with durable, leak-proof soft canvas and high-quality TPU liner which is resilient to tear, abrasions, impacts, and more. It is very portable and easy to carry wherever adventure takes you.
Features- High-quality TPU liner
- Made of durable soft canvass
- 3/4 inch thick, high-density, closed-cell foam inner insulation
- Adjustable shoulder straps
- Ideal for short boating trips
- Made from durable materials
- Reasonable price
- Easy to carry
- Leakproof
- Resilient to impact, abrasion, and tear
- Not fit for long or multi-day trips
How Do You Secure A Boat Cooler?
The best boat coolers on the market are usually equipped with a non-skid bottom preventing them from sliding from their place. But for those who want extra security for their coolers, here are some tips to keep your coolers safe in their place.
- Use damp towels under your coolers to prevent them from moving
- Placing rubber mats/shelf liners at the bottom of the cooler also works great in keeping them in place
- Use cooler tie-down strap kits
Pontoon Boat Accessories
Pontoon boats are a great way to have some outdoor family fun on the lake or a party with friends out on the open sea. Check out these practical must-have pontoon boat accessories to add to your boat for smooth sailing.
Download Your FREE Boating Pre-Departure Checklist
Recommended Boating Resources
- Recommended Pontoon Boat Accessories
- Best Boat Snacks– These are easy to make and yummy, too
- Pontoon Boating Safety Guide & Checklist
- DIY Pontoon Boat Storage Ideas
MORE RELATED RESOURCES
Want to take make your boating trips more fun? Check out our post on 16 Fun Boat Accessories that are sure to keep everyone onboard entertained.
If you’re planning a boating party soon, you might like this list of easy-to-make boating drinks and cocktails.