A cold beverage and fresh snacks are a must-have for any day out on the water. Every boat enthusiast knows that your cooler is the first thing you start packing before heading out. It wasn’t long ago that your choices were simple, a trusty old plastic Coleman or IGLOO chest style cooler or maybe the classic IGLOO Playmate. Today, it can be overwhelming when choosing a cooler that will meet your needs. We’ve broken down the best coolers for every boating occasion.
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Best Coolers For Throwing A Boat Party
If you are headed out on the water for a full day of fun and activities with a big group of family or friends, you’ll need a big boat cooler. You will also benefit from a cooler with good insulative capabilities, especially if people will be opening and closing it a lot throughout the day.
The RCTIC 52 QT Ultra-Light Cooler is one of our favorites for a full day out on the water. This cooler has plenty of capacity for cold beverages, food, and snacks. It also weighs in at 21lbs, which is several pounds lighter than other premium coolers. In addition, it has two sets of handles; one set is built into the body, and the other is a set of rope handles. This cooler will get you through a full day on the water.
If you are looking for something a little larger and have a long distance between your car and your boat, you might want to consider the IGLOO Trailmate Journey 70 Qt Cooler. This cooler has oversized wheels that easily handle gravel drives, dirt paths, and dock decking. On top of that, it has a small butler tray that sets into the handle, making for a good spot to serve snacks and other food. There are also a lot of other additions to this cooler, such as a bottle opener, dry storage, fish rod holders, and tie-down points.
Best Coolers For A Quiet Day On The Boat
Not every day out on the boat requires a big cooler full of food and beverage. Somedays, you may want to spend a quiet day with just a few friends, or you’re just headed out for a few hours.
The RTIC Soft Pack Coolers are great when you just need to bring a few beverages and some snacks. These coolers range in size from 12 to 40 cans, though we generally recommend going for a hard cooler if you are thinking of something in the 40-can size range. When packed with an ice pack these coolers will keep beverages cold for an entire day on the water.
Another good option to consider is the RTIC Day Cooler. These are similar to the Soft Pack coolers but instead range from 6 to 28 cans in size. This is our go-to cooler for an afternoon out on the water. These coolers also have an accessory pouch on the front for snacks that don’t need to be kept cold. This is a great economical option for just about anyone.
Best Boat Coolers For Jet Skiing
If you are a lone ranger out on your jet ski and meeting up with friends, you’ll want a cooler that can keep up with your active lifestyle. A backpack-style cooler is your best option.
The YETI Hopper M20 Backpack Cooler is a great but pricey option for those jet skiing the party out on the lake. The M20 has plenty of room for cans and snacks to keep you hydrated and happy out on the water. There are also daisy chains across the front and sides to attach extra gear as needed.
If you want to save a few bucks, the RTIC Backpack Cooler is a good alternative. It has a slightly larger capacity than the YETI and slightly more ergonomic shoulder straps. However, the RTIC has an extra set of handles that can sometimes get in the way.
Best Boat Coolers For A Sunset Cruise
If you’re just headed out for a short sunset cruise, you don’t need to pack a full cooler. Instead, an insulated cup or can cooler is the way to go.
YETI Can Insulators are a great option to keep canned beverages cold. They make three models, 12oz., 12oz. slim, and 16oz. These can insulators keep your warm hands off your cold cans, keeping your beverage cold longer. Gone are the days of sweaty cans dripping water all over the place. RTIC makes a similar range at a lower price.
The RTIC Day Cooler, mentioned above, is another good option for a short cruise. The smaller sizes are big enough to carry a couple of beverages but are light and easy to carry.
Best Boat Coolers For Paddleboarding
A cooler can be a nice addition to a long day out on the paddleboard.
RTIC 20 Qt Hard Cooler
A cooler might not strike you as a necessity while out paddleboarding; we often bring an insulated water bottle instead. But a small hard cooler, like the RTIC 20 QT Hard Cooler, can be a good option if you are going out for more extended periods. If you strap the cooler down to your board, it can also serve as a comfortable seat to take a rest on or even paddle from.
Best Boat Coolers For Fishing
If you are headed out for a day of fishing and plan to keep your catch you’ll want to keep the fish cool and on ice. Your best option is a large hard cooler, and you’ll want to make sure it has a drain so that it’s easy to clean.
Any of the RTIC Hard Coolers will also be a good option. They are well insulated, durable, and have drains. If you haven’t figured it out yet, RTIC is one of our favorite cooler brands because its products are high quality and cheaper than many of its competitors. Though, if we are being honest, a premium cooler is probably a little overkill for keeping fish on ice for a day.
The IGLOO Marine Ultra 72 Qt or 90 Qt coolers are a staple on many fishing boats. These coolers are cheap and durable, just the traits you want in something that is going to be banged around and filled with dead fish. Our only gripe is that not all of them have a drain, making them a bit harder to clean.
Conclusion
Picking the right cooler for a day out on the boat isn’t as easy as it seems. You might that you need more than one cooler to suit your various needs. We hope that our overview has helped guide you toward the perfect cooler. In general, we’ve been satisfied with our RTIC coolers, which are our cooler brand of choice. If we helped you find a boat cooler you love we’d love to hear about it. Feel free to message us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. Have a great time out on the water!
