looking for a cooler...

[jeepster]

Right now I am up here fishing in Alaska for the summer, but when seining is over, I will be home for October and part of November before my lady and I take off to Hawaii where we plan on purchasing a larger sailboat to live on and cruise the Hawaiian islands until the next fishing season up here in Alaska.

With that being said, I am considering getting a seriously hardcore cooler for the tropical sun, and to save on power because as stated above we are planning on living on a sailboat.

If I wanted a serious no bs cooler that keeps things cold no matter the heat outside, what's the best route to go?

I'm seriously considering a large Yeti but at 700$....... is there something similar for less or is Yeti the do all end all cooler? Price doesn't bother me if I am getting quality...

[RadSav]

I think it really depends on the shape of the cooler you are looking for.  I am a big Yeti fan, but if you can get away with a cube type instead of a foot locker style there are probably better rotomold options for less money.  Engle has a great lid, Pelican close to the Engle and IRP is a monster with a better sealing system IMO.  But, if you want to be able to drop a big slab-o-fish or a whole unboned elk quarter into your cooler the shape of the large foot locker Yeti is almost impossible to beat. 

Yeti really sticks to the deck well too which I like for on the boat but hate when on dry land!  I make UHMW skids for my Yeti so I can unload it from the truck myself.  Otherwise it sticks so well it takes two people to get it out of the truck when loaded.  Inconvenient but I expect I will never be in need of ever buying another cooler the rest of my life.  That makes the premium rotomold coolers like Yeti, Pelican, Engle, IRP price invested well worth it IMO.

Note:  They all suffer from inadequate insulation in the lid.  Building an insulated bikini or jacket will pay off for any long term ice retention no matter which brand you chose.

LOVE my Yetis'

[Goldeneye]

Here's a thread from earlier this year on the subject.  I am a Yeti fan as well.  I've put them through some lengthy tests and they performed.  One thing to remember about any cooler.  If you open the lid a lot, it's not going to keep stuff cold.  I usually keep the stuff like drinks and condiments in a separate cooler.  The yeti is for stuff I need to keep real cool.

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,148677.0.html

[Wacenturion]

Love my Yeti's as well.

[Bean Counter]

How do toed rope-based handles hold up for you guys? I like the looks of the Cabelas Alaskan or the Igloo cold locker; the integral molded handles.  Seems like those ropes might bust under repeated heavy lifting.

[Goldeneye]

How do toed rope-based handles hold up for you guys? I like the looks of the Cabelas Alaskan or the Igloo cold locker; the integral molded handles.  Seems like those ropes might bust under repeated heavy lifting.

  Haven't had any handle failure yet.  I have had mine stuffed with Elk, fish, or birds over the years.  The bigger Yeti's need two guys to pack when crammed full.

[Fl0und3rz]

You might consider a number of these:

http://www.rei.com/product/675648/coleman-stainless-steel-cooler-54-qt

I have two of the above, and they are pretty effective even in high temperatures.

They would be easier to carry when full, you can segregate by frequency of access to keep the cold things colder longer, and they are about the best for price/insulation/construction.  I cannot compare them to a Yeti, except that based on visual inspection, the construction seems similar with the Yeti appearing substantially tougher. 

[RIVERRAT]

I am extremely happy with the quality and cooling of the Pelican myself.  I also like that all the parts are replaceable if for some reason there is an accident.  JMO

[wadu1]

Here's a thread from earlier this year on the subject.  I am a Yeti fan as well.  I've put them through some lengthy tests and they performed.  One thing to remember about any cooler.  If you open the lid a lot, it's not going to keep stuff cold.  I usually keep the stuff like drinks and condiments in a separate cooler.  The yeti is for stuff I need to keep real cool.

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,148677.0.html

The last three years in Montana in August everything is cold for 6+ days. A buddy used his Yeti on a Lope trip to Wyoming after having it cut/wrapped and flash frozen it made the trip to Florida without any change in the temperature.   

[RadSav]

I am extremely happy with the quality and cooling of the Pelican myself.  I also like that all the parts are replaceable if for some reason there is an accident.  JMO

Rumor among those I know who work closely with Pelican is that they did a huge amount of research before deciding on the design.  Sounds like making a better and more price attractive cooler than Yeti was a major concern.  Not sure they succeeded in making the price vastly better.  But the ones I've seen are very nicely made.  Wish they had a better selection of longer coolers so I could try one and compare.  Made in USA is a good deal too

[olsy]

I make UHMW skids for my Yeti so I can unload it from the truck myself.

I would be curious to see how you rigged up the skids.  I have a carpeted truck liner and it is a pain to get my Pelican Cooler out of the bed.

[RadSav]

The round rubber inserts on my Yetis have a hole in the center.  I turn UHMW screw in caps and just screw them into the rubber holes.  I lose one once in a while, but normally they hold pretty dang good.

[olsy]

The round rubber inserts on my Yetis have a hole in the center.  I turn UHMW screw in caps and just screw them into the rubber holes.  I lose one once in a while, but normally they hold pretty dang good.

   Thanks!

[RadSav]

If I can remember (never a sure thing these days) I will try to take a picture next time I go to storage.

[fly-by]

How do toed rope-based handles hold up for you guys? I like the looks of the Cabelas Alaskan or the Igloo cold locker; the integral molded handles.  Seems like those ropes might bust under repeated heavy lifting.

I love my everything about my 150qt Grizzly EXCEPT the molded handles.  That extra 6" is a real PITA when trying to pivot it in the truck bed.  I would go with the ropes handles and bring along some extra rope for backup if you are concerned about breakage.