Thread subject: Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos :: Front Cooler Top Mod Ideas?
Posted by rfich on 02/26/12 - 10:26 AM
#1
Even with the padded cushion, the top to the front cooler invariably developes cracks from folks sitting on it while underway. Now that I've obtained a new cooler top, I was thinking of installing a thin sheet of plywood or some other material (suggestions?) between the cushion and the cooler top to distribute a persons weight, thereby lessening the chance of cracking the top. Anyone ever try this type of mod?
Posted by Joe Kriz on 02/26/12 - 10:49 AM
#2
What kind of cooler?
What model of Whaler?
Posted by rfich on 02/26/12 - 11:08 AM
#3
1993 17 Outrage & 1987 17 Montauk both same cooler (Igloo, Marine Elite, 72 quart). Same cracking occurred on both over the years. Thanks in advance for any ideas.
Posted by rfich on 02/26/12 - 11:25 AM
#5
West Marine:
Marine Elite Cooler, 72qt., Keeps Ice 5+ Days, 16.5"W x 29.5"L x 16.13"H (Threaded Drain Plug) 10393759 44534 In Stock $89.99
Posted by Phil T on 02/26/12 - 12:22 PM
#6
I have never read reports of lids cracking here or "there" in 10 years.
Is the cooler sitting on the cleats?
What amount of weight is causing the damage?
You may want to consider a Yeti brand. They may be more durable. Not cheap and the OEM cushion may not fit.
Coleman makes a metal clad cooler in a 54 qt size. See:
http://www.coleman.com/coleman/Colema...oryID=8501
Edited by Phil T on 02/26/12 - 12:32 PM
Posted by Joe Kriz on 02/26/12 - 12:29 PM
#7
I am not familiar with what size cooler the Outrage 17' I takes.
Or, if it even uses cooler cleats...
Phil would know this.
Here are photos of 3 Outrage 17' I models all with coolers.
http://www.whalercentral.com/userphot...album_id=3
The Montauk uses cooler cleats.
The cooler sits on top of the cleats in a Montauk.
See the first 2 drawings here:
http://www.whalercentral.com/download...owstart=15
The Cooler in an Outrage 18' and larger models sits directly on the floor. (except some early models)
Posted by Phil T on 02/26/12 - 12:36 PM
#8
The Outrage 17 I has cooler cleats like the classic Montauk. The cleats are made from composite plastic. I think it is the same size as the classic Montauk.
Posted by OutragousBob on 02/26/12 - 4:28 PM
#9
It is my understanding that the 17' Outrage I uses the 72 quart Igloo. That is what mine has. The only difference between the West Marine Igloo Elite Marine cooler and the standard Igloo is stainless clad latches. If you can afford it I would get a Yeti 65 quart, it is very close in size to the Igloo 72 quart. The Yeti should withstand anything you throw at it.
-Bob.
Posted by dmjcsurf on 10/07/12 - 10:25 AM
#10
I have been trying to replace my 1995 17' Outrage 72 qt igloo cooler with cushion. Everything I have seen shows a much inferior snap cushion on the newer Igloo coolers (and I don't see a cooler with snaps anyway). I saw Halls in Florida made them and they have gone out of business. The cooler I have is beyond repair, so I need a full replacement. Any ideas?
Posted by Tom W Clark on 10/07/12 - 11:03 AM
#11
The Igloo Marine Series coolers are so inexpensive that I would not hesitate to simply replace one that started to crack after a few years.
By the way, I never let people sit on a console cooler in choppy conditions. Those coolers were never meant to take that sort of abuse.
Whaler never used Igloo cushions on the Igloo cooler they used; they had cushions made for them to Whaler specifications. The Igloo cushions are crap.
If you want a classic Whaler cushion for an Igloo cooler, the best source, by far, is Anderson Manufacturing and Upholstery (terrible website, great product):
http://www.andersonmfg.biz/1.htmlbiz/1.html
Posted by vin197922outrage on 10/07/12 - 11:25 AM
#12
I think it depends on how much exposure to sunlight and usage.I have had to replace 5 lids on various size's of Igloo coolers over the last 25 years or so.The coolers were sat on quite often and they crack.They are not built to last,a thin plastic covering with foam as the backbone.Kinda like a whalers construction but at least the whaler last!If you look at a YETI cooler,it is fiberglass skin with foam injected and they will last a long long time.You get what you pay for.
Posted by Gmondun on 05/27/15 - 1:36 PM
#13
I bought a yeti cooler to replace my Igloo, but the way the front of the Montauk deck tapers to the front (1985 Montauk 17'), the front end of the Yeti doesn't sit flush on the deck. Has anyone had any experience with raising up a cooler to fit a Yeti (or any other type)?