Coolers are considered a must-have in your checklist, especially if you’re cruising on long passages. Coolers keep your food and drinks at the right temperature and are essential in maintaining your goods. A marine cooler is specifically designed for use on a sailboat and has to be of high quality and provide extra features that we’ll see up next. So, before making your purchase, continue reading this article that’s going to help you choose the best marine cooler, tailored to your needs and budget.

Key Features of Boat/Sailboat Marine Coolers

Marine coolers are designed to cope with marine life conditions, seawater corrosion, high temperatures, and saltwater exposure. What makes a good marine cooler is its characteristics that are essential for marine use. These extra features are the ones that regular coolers don’t have. Some of these features are UV protection, insulation, anti-rust hardware, anti-skid feet, among others. Regular coolers are not the ones you’re going to buy for use on your sailboat because they’re not equipped with extra features. And here’s why:

• A cooler must have enough insulation to keep ice for a long time. Generally, marine coolers are constructed with thick walls in order to provide dense insulation that keeps the cold inside and the hot air outside. Regular boat coolers can keep the ice solid for up to 3 days, but marine roto-molded coolers can last even up to 10 days.
• The cooler also has to be stable. This means that you should look for coolers with rubber feet or bottoms. Coolers with rubber feet provide friction that prevents the cooler from sliding. The good thing about rubber feet is that they elevate the bottom of the cooler off the floor, and like this, there will be less heat transmission, therefore better ice retention. 
• High-end construction: Look for coolers that are made of stainless steel, anti-rust materials, and roto-molded plastic. These materials make them durable and thus augmenting their lifespan.
• Size and capacity of the cooler is also an important factor to consider before making your purchase. You will need a cooler that fits the designated space and size of the area you’re going to put it into. Moreover, the cooler needs to have enough internal capacity to keep all your goods. Some common sizes for marine coolers are from 50qt to 75qt.
•  The cooler has to be able to drain off excess water.

Prepare your Marine Cooler

So, you bought your cooler, and now it’s time to prepare it before start using it. The first step to do is to put some ice in the cooler in order to make it adjust to the cold temperature. Another tip for adjusting the temperature is to place some already frozen water bottles in the cooler for about 8 to 10 hours. Then, when putting your goods in it, ensure that they’re already cold. You won’t have to do this every time it’s only for the first days of use.

Best Choices for Sailboat Marine Coolers

Before choosing which marine cooler you want to buy you should firstly think about your needs. Do you want a cooler equipped with high-end features or just a normal marine cooler? In any case, either cooler you’re going to choose remember that it has to be a durable and functional model that withstands different temperatures and environmental conditions. So, the first step is to assess your needs and then choose the marine cooler that suits you best. Below, you’ll find a variety of the best marine coolers to choose from:

Igloo Marine Ultra Cooler

The Igloo Marine Cooler comes in a variety of different designs, sizes, and it’s equipped with some practical features. Firstly, it has excellent insulation that keeps the ice from melting for more than 35 hours. Furthermore, it’s made of polyethylene material and it’s 100% corrosion-resistant. It also has UV protection, wheels for easy movement around, an anti-slip base, and a fish measuring tool. The fish measuring tool will help you determine which catch is good to keep or throwback. Lastly, the model is stain and odor-resistant so you don’t have to worry about some nasty smells coming from fish or other products. So, it really worths its price even though it’s not really pricey. Check it out on Amazon.

Yeti Tundra 65

Yeti is a pioneer brand when it comes to coolers. This model is constructed with rotomolding technology and features a 3-inch polyurethane foam insulation in its lid and walls. This means that everything you put inside will remain frozen for more than 7 days. This cooler also has a full-frame gasket around its lid and seals the cold inside, thus minimizing air exchange. Moreover, it has heavy-duty stainless steel construction, UV protection, rubber grip feet, and a large capacity. However, even though the cooler is portable it can be quite heavy when it’s filled at the top. However, it’s a pricey cooler but can be a good investment to make if you’re an overseas sailor. See the Yeti Tundra 65 on Amazon.

Coleman Rolling Cooler

This marine cooler is a great option, has extra wall insulation, and a high capacity of up to 84 cans. Moreover, its lid can hold up to 250 pounds and its overall shape and construction are particularly sturdy. It has cup holders molded into its lid, retains ice for up to 5 days, and can easily slide over any surface. Check it out.

Engel 65 High Performance Cooler

The Engel 65 has all the essential features that ensure its high performance. It has rubber feet that keep the bottom of the cooler off surfaces, therefore having better ice retention for up to 10 days. Furthermore, the cooler can keep dry ice without damaging its interior. The cooler has 10 years warranty and it’s a durable model that comes in many different sizes. See the Engel 65 High-Performance Hard Cooler on Amazon.

Coleman Coastal Xtreme Series Marine Portable Cooler

This marine cooler is one of the top choices to make and comes at a reasonable price. It has a large capacity, retains frozen products for 6 days, and can support a lot of weight, until 250 lbs. The cooler also has a drain plug that you can use to drain melted ice. A really good choice for your sailboat and at a good price, check it out on Amazon.

RTIC Cooler 45qt

This model is a premium marine cooler with heavy-duty features and is created to withstand different environments or difficult handling due to its construction of 3 inches thick walls. Furthermore, it has dependable insulation that ensures the freshness of all your goods. Also, its silicon rubber latches and UV-protected materials make the cooler suitable for all kinds of weather conditions. Finally, it’s a sturdy, value-for-money- cooler with convenient handling and design that certainly deserves its money! Check the RTIC Cooler on Amazon.

CreekKooler Outdoor Insulated Floating Cooler

The CreekKooler is a durable cooler that will definitely satisfy all your marine cooling needs! It has a 30-quart storage capacity, has 1.75 inches of foam insulation, and retains ice for 48 hours. Also, it has effective dry storage due to its locking lid system and O-ring design. You can use this cooler both on land and sea so it can be a great investment for your money’s worth. View the CreekKooler on Amazon here.

Coleman Xtreme Cooler

Our last choice and in my opinion the best is Coleman’s extreme marine cooler. This is because it’s a multi-purpose cooler that you can carry along in all places due to its lightweight. It’s also easy to transport due to its heavy-duty wheels and has a 50-Quart storage capacity. An extremely durable marine cooler that keeps your food and drinks at a cool temperature for 5 days. Check it out here on Amazon.

Best Coolers for Boating- Summary

Before choosing which cooler suits your needs and of course is a good match for your sailboat think about these important factors. Firstly, your marine cooler must have a sturdy lid construction with thick walls and seals that will keep the ice and products last for longer. Also, it needs to have enough capacity tailored to your needs, be lightweight, and be equipped with wheels and lock features to ensure its stability. The cooler’s drainage capability is also important as it allows you to drain the water held in its interior. So, prefer coolers that have a drain plug or drain system.

Lastly, consider how are you going to use your marine cooler. Is it for a long overseas voyage, for a weekend family outing, or are you mainly living on your sailboat? All these are important to consider before purchasing the best marine cooler. Good luck with your purchase and hope that this article was helpful!