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My boat has a Coleman cooler with cup holders in the lid that I would like to replace with an igloo to use for a seat. It fits on what looks like the original wooden cleats. It looks like the 94qt. is the correct choice. It also appears that Halls Nautical was the source of the best cushion but they appear to be out of business. Is there another current source? I'm also interested in the correct way to fasten the cooler to the cleats.

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See "Phil T's" post in this recent thread...
http://www.whalercentral.com/forum/vi...d_id=20598

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Thanks

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To answer the rest of your question, the 94qt cooler is the correct size.

It is held in place by bungee cords which go through the pre-existing holes in the cooler cleats, and crimped at each end. You will also need to buy the plastic Whaler "hooks" which screw into the cooler sides at the handles. I believe Twin Cities has them. See photo of my installation:

http://smg.photobucket.com/user/lgolt...0906163686

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Thanks for the source for the brackets. A local BW guru here is recommending the 72 qt. so I'm still up in the air. I'm in PA so have time to think about it. He showed me what I need to do to my brackets for the bungee.

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Assuming we're talking about a Montauk, if so a 72 qt won't be long enough to allow you to sit on it without the crook being in the way.

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Cushions - Call Tena @ Anderson Mfg. & Upholstry

(321) 267 - 7028

http://www.andersonmfg.biz/1.html

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I've been in contact with Tena via email. I'm not sure what a "crook" is? The 72qt. is almost 30" wide while the 94 is 34". 30" seems like enough for 2 people to sit on. Since I'll likely be launching with more than 2 pretty often, maybe the 94 is a better choice. anyone have photos of both?

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The crook is that piece of railing that protrudes forward from the center of the center consol rail of the older Montauk 17. Even with the 94 quart cooler there's not a lot of shoulder room so every inch matters.

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The "crook" is the forward curved tubing in front of the windshield, assuming we are talking about a classic Montauk. I had the 72qt cooler and Whalerbob is spot on. There just wasn't enough room on either side. I switched up to the 94qt. a little taller and wider, depth is the same. I would want the 94qt even if the crook had been removed.

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On my personal page, you can see my 72qt dwarfed by the console.

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Now I understand. I think you convinced me to go for the 94. If I have to mess with the cleats it will not be too much of a change required anyhow.

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The local BW "guru" is mostly mistaken about the 72 being the correct cooler seat size for the classic Whalers. Ever since day one when Whaler brought out the Montauk and 1973 and later Outrage boats, the Igloo 86qt cooler was the factory supplied option - never a 72 qt. Then, sometime around 1990, Igloo re-designed the 86 into the 94, although they are both the same size at the top cover. The 94 simply has a more vertical sided base, which gives it the extra capacity. As a matter of fact, on both, the top covers are interchangeable. I have an old 86 with a new 94 lid on it. Fits perfectly and looks great.

Regarding the 72 qt, after Brunswick took over the Company, and brought out the white Montauks, in order to save money on the boats, they used the smaller, and cheaper 72Qt cooler seat for a while. It never worked well or looked good, and is way too small for two people to use comfortably. They may even be still using it on the current 170's, a bad decision in my estimation.

The brand new Igloo 94 makes for a nice dry strorage/cooler seat . It now has SS hinges and latches, and 2 wire lid retainer straps.

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The local guy has been dealing with whalers for 40 years and told me all that. He just prefers the 72 for some reason.
After reading here I agree with the 94 because I'll need the seating.

Can someone recommend the cheapest place to buy a cooler. In PA it might just be Lowe's.
There was someplace online called Academy but the price was so low that I don't trust them.

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You need to look for the Igloo Marine 94 qt cooler.

Igloo.com ~ $199
http://www.igloo-store.com/detail/IGL...E+ULTRA+94

Amazon or Target ~ $150
http://www.target.com/p/igloo-marine-...A-13964085


Academy ~ $80 (prior yr model)
http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/igloo.../pid-25787

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Looks like the latches are different (better?) on the current model.

Lowes is 122.60 and looks like the current model.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_490512-528-00044687_0__?productId=4761519

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Has anyone used the cooler (and rod holder) cushions from Specialty Marine a sponsor here?

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For my 1989 Montauk - A month ago I replaced my 94Q cooler cushion w/ an Anderson, to match my new Anderson RPS cushion, and it looks great, top notch quality.

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I have a 94 quart cooler seat/leaning post/rocket launcher in the middle of my deck. I believe I bought an Igloo Cooler Seat Pad (made by Igloo) just a couple of years ago. I went to remove it a couple weeks ago and the sewing by the straps failed. Also, the cushion was so thick you never felt comfortable sitting. Your heels would need a "heel bar" to keep you steady. As you folks are recommending suppliers, is there a big difference in cushion quality with the manufacturers and suppliers? I would probably want a thinner more durable cushion/pad.
Garris

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I purchased the Specialty Marine cushion for my new-at-the-time 94-qt Igloo cooler three years ago. Aside from some packing/shipping problems, which the company fully addressed, I am satisfied with the product. By the way, my cooler came from West Marine, who offered the best deal at the time.

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I replaced all of the cushions on my Montauk with cushions from Specialty Marine about 5 years ago and they are still going strong. They were good to deal with, and the cushions are pretty good. Not as original looking or as expensive as what Halls Nautical had. I replaced the "crook" with a straight piece of stainless railing, because the kids were hitting their shoulders on it when sitting on the cooler seat. Not hard to do, but I had to do a small bend on it. I can always throw the "crook" back on if I want to make it look original.

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Their rod holder and cooler cushions are about $210. I'm leaning towards the Andersons for $300.

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I'm thinking about doing this as well. Is it at least equally as stable? I no longer use the original anchor light so I'm thinking I can probably cut that pole to fit and it already has slight bend as well.

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As far as I can tell, it is every bit as strong and stable. And it really made the cooler seat much more usable. The stainless railing is hard to bend. I made a jig to bend it in my vice without it collapsing. It only takes a bend of 15 degrees or so. It could probably be done with an electrician's conduit bender.

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The bend in the light pole looks to be almost exactly 15 degrees so that should work. How did you connect it? Did you tap/thread the new holes or through bolt or use rivets?

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I drilled holes and used stainless steel self threading screws. Same as what was already there.

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I also replaced the crook with a slightly bent piece. People like to ride in front on the cooler seat and don't like bumping their heads. Being a semi-redneck, I jacked up a corner of my car and slowly let it down until I had the bend that I wanted - only enough to clear the windshield with an inch to spare. I also replaced the top 3-way joint with an identical piece in stainless steel. The original was chrome-plated bronze. To do this, I had to cut the top bar. I reinforced it with a piece inside of it that I could also screw into. It looks original and perfect.

I also replaced the front rod holders with PVC of the same size to eliminate the fluted heads that also poked people sitting on the cooler.

My next project is to make some compartments out of teak behind the front seat back cushions, replacing the rod holder assemblies altogether. This will provide for a place on each side where small items can be stowed, such as sunscreen, wallets, tackle, etc. Got to get the table saw out again!
Ron, Clearwater, FL

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I just ordered the 94 quart Igloo cooler from Lowes (must be picked up at a local store). Their price was $122 plus tax.

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A couple of thoughts and comments:

I replaced the cooler on my Outrage 18 with a new 94 qt. Igloo and seat cushion. It wasn't until a few weeks ago that I had actually sat up front of the console, while my son drove the boat. I was disappointed at the density of the foam on the Igloo cushion. I just felt like it should have been a little denser to provide a bit of padding under your derriere. Does anybody know if anyone makes a denser snap on cooler cushion?

Secondly, my wife loves the shepherds crook while she is riding on the cooler cushion. She slips her arm through the crook while riding and gives her a very secure feeling that she has a good hold onto the boat. Now, I do not have rod holders behind the pads attached to the console to lean back on. So the seating position is a bit further back than original without the rod holders behind them. But it works great according to her. When I bought my boat, the previous owner had installed rod holders down low on both the port and starboard sides of the console. I like my rods located there, better than having them directly in front and in my view.

Lastly, the "Crook" is one of the iconic features of the classic Whalers! No way I'm going to remove that from my classic.

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For all Igloo cooler seats used in Whalers, you want the Halls/Anderson official OEM cushion. I have found them to be very comfortable. Others have also indicated the Igloo branded cushions are no good, plus they do not have the tan or white pleat material and do not match the other Whaler upholstery.

For 2nd generation Outrage owners, 18' and larger, I also HIGHLY recommend the Igloo 162 qt cooler seat instead of the regular 94qt size. This size is REALLY comfortable for two people, and has a better seating heigth as well, to say nothing of the much needed additional dry storage space. I have used this size in my Outrage 25 (see photo) since the boat was new in 1989, and also in my Ribside 21 and my Outrage 18.

Whaler furnished this size with the Super Console, which is where I got the idea, but I have found it works just as well in front of the standard console, especially if the console is raised 4".

http://smg.photobucket.com/user/lgolt...1092735368

Try it, you will love it!

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Thanks for the additional information. I have already decided to use Anderson cushions and received a quote from Tena. I also like the "crook".

My console had the wood strips that the rod holders fasten to, but not the actual rod holders. I plan to also get a pair of "rod holder cushions" from Anderson and was wondering how they would work without the rod holders there.

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I sell a "bolt in" interchangable replacement for the Shepherds Crook. It fits 1973 to 1995 Montauk 17 models. My design uses an elbow to make it L shaped. It looks great - as if Whaler made it. If you LOVE the Hook - keep it. If you HATE the Hook contact me. I discount for WC members who contact me directly.