Help me find the best ice chest/cooler ever!

[Boo]

Tom previously posted some of his thoughts on the matter in Post #10 of this thread:

Originally Posted by qbee42

I've done extensive research on this topic for sailboat ice boxes. They are built-in, but the same principles apply. It comes down to durability and cost. There are many types of insulation with better R values than blue board, but each comes with some baggage.

Some types of foam work well when dry, but rapidly absorb moisture and loose most of their insulating properties. Blue board is impervious to water.

Vacuum panels are incredible, and can used for large ice boxes. The limitations with vacuum panels are cost, inability to cut to size, and short life span. While they have great R values when new, in a couple of years the panel will loose its vacuum and then it's not nearly as good as plain old blue board. You also have trouble insulating the corners between the panels, and the whole assembly tends to be fragile.

Silica tiles like those used on the Space Shuttle would work well, but the price is also in low earth orbit.

What we found is that all of the higher tech insulations provided an R value gain only at great expense with limited life. Plain old blue board has the best overall characteristics. We use four inches of it all of the way around, and cover the outside with a heat reflective material, such as aluminized mylar. We line the inside with layed-up GRP (fiberglass).

Tom

[MarinJohn]

Originally Posted by qbee42

Practical Sailor has contracted with me to write a "how to" article about this topic, so look for it sometime this winter.

Tom

Tom if you get your 'how to' article written I would appreciate a PM. I'm curious as to why you had to build from the ground up instead of just replacing one top with another using the same cooler compartment (ice box). I'm sure it'll be in your article.

[a_gray_prius]

You need one of these:

[qbee42]

Originally Posted by MarinJohn

Tom if you get your 'how to' article written I would appreciate a PM. I'm curious as to why you had to build from the ground up instead of just replacing one top with another using the same cooler compartment (ice box). I'm sure it'll be in your article.

I had the parts, and it was cheap. The second reason is that it let me fit my space exactly, instead of using an existing assembly. That said, I think removing the parts from a stock cooler is an excellent idea, and one that I mention in my article.

Tom

[Boo]

Originally Posted by darelldd

There's no call for injecting logic or reason into this otherwise perfect thread!

In order to make this thread even more perfect than it already is, I've saved and preserved as files (you have to do this with important stuff from the internets) and attached below:

(1) Reprint of Power Boat Reports & Practical Sailor's December 2005 review of coolers; and

(2) Reprint of Practical Sailor's September 2008 review of coolers.

[darelldd]

Sweet! Well done, Mr. Boo.

[ShellyT]

Has anyone here considered and used dry ice in the cooler for extended trips?

[Boo]

Off-topic:

I see from the Bernie Madoff auction that's going on now, that Madoff used Igloo Marine coolers on his boat:

[qbee42]

Originally Posted by Boo

Off-topic:

I see from the Bernie Madoff auction that's going on now, that Madoff used Igloo Marine coolers on his boat:

I'm surprised they weren't gold plated, not that gold makes a good insulator.

Tom