Compac 23 Cooler

[HeaveToo]

What is the largest cooler that will fit in the storage area of the Compac 23/3 without modification?  I measured the area and I came up with a possible length of 41", a width of 23", and a height of 14" (could possible get 15").

What cooler do you carry?  What ice arrangement do you use?

I have been searching the archives on here and I can't find any definite answers. 

[brackish]

That height dimension is a real problem when it comes to coolers.  My 23 IV has the same height, maybe can stretch it to 14-1/4".  I bought an expensive Yeti Sherpa 50 that is designed for fitting in white water rafting frames which has a profile low enough to fit but I don't like it.  It is way too heavy and I'm disappointed in the ice longevity.  I found a discontinued Igloo Marine 48 on Amazon that did not have a drain.  I bought a drain kit and installed it in the cooler and it all works fine.  I can fit it and a Polar Bear soft cooler (great product) in the cooler area.  Thing is I don't think that cooler is made any more and the current models are too tall.

In the heat of the summer, the Igloo at about $35 for the cooler and drain kit keeps ice about two days.  The Yeti at six times the price struggles to get three and is a real back breaker to get in and out of the spot.  Yep, I know their advertising shows bears jumping on top of the cooler, unable to get in, however, I've yet to encounter bears boarding the boat on any cruise I've done.

Long term, I plan to build a pull out drawer with a built in cooler for ease of access.

I freeze block ice in quart milk cartons.  Cheap and they last a long time. 

[Shawn]

On the 23/3 an Igloo Marine 36 fits extremely well if you move its handles from the sides to front and back. That also helps you slide it forward.  If you want to get fancy and put an actual refrigerator in there the Dometic CF25 will just fit as well.

In both cases that includes having the table in its storage position and the storage box over the bilge.

Shawn

[HeaveToo]

The Igloo 48 quart cooler looks like it might squeeze in:  http://www.gemplers.com/product/214425/Igloo-Marine-Series-Ice-Chests?gclid=CKeUp5L0pr8CFRJk7AodlwkAlA&sku=214425&CID=25SEPLA&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=214425&ef_id=gKRNpMyEsG8AAI4520140702150804s

What do you think?

[HeaveToo]

http://www.gemplers.com/product/214425/Igloo-Marine-Series-Ice-Chests?gclid=CKeUp5L0pr8CFRJk7AodlwkAlA&sku=214425&CID=25SEPLA&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=214425&ef_id=gKRNpMyEsG8AAI4520140702150804s

There is a better place to see the dimensions.  I think that I could squeeze it in there.  That would be good for a trip.

I agree with freezing blocks.  They work pretty good for trips and they keep longer.  I actually like putting a few blocks in the cooler, a few water bottles that I have frozen, and then cube ice on top of that.  The ice you buy from the stores doesn't last as long as the ice you make at home.

I have always been a slave to the ice.  My other boat kept ice a day or two max.  It was a built in cooler and it wasn't that good.  I rarely have problems getting ice where I cruise.

[brackish]

The Igloo 48 quart cooler looks like it might squeeze in:  http://www.gemplers.com/product/214425/Igloo-Marine-Series-Ice-Chests?gclid=CKeUp5L0pr8CFRJk7AodlwkAlA&sku=214425&CID=25SEPLA&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=214425&ef_id=gKRNpMyEsG8AAI4520140702150804s

What do you think?

The 48 might fit in the 23-3 if you say you can get 15" height;  I can assure you it will not fit in the 4.

Shawn mentioned the storage box and table.  My boat came with the box, but the PO never gave me the table.  The table is the top to the box I think. If you need something from the box and you have a one or, in my case two heavy coolers in front of it you have to rearrange the whole boat to get something out.  It is a very nice box, but mine is in the attic.  I built a table (search "Arion has a table")that can be used in either the cockpit or the cabin and found a much better place to store it.  With the box and table gone I think I could get two 36 coolers in there lengthwise.

[NateD]

The height of the storage area on my 23 tapered down the further aft you went, so make sure to take a measurement toward the back of the opening and not just the front. I think it was only about 5/8 to 3/4" difference from front to back, but I made a small custom cooler to fit next to the trash can I kept under there, and ended up having to shave the top of the cooler to fit the taper. The cooler couldn't fit much, but if you eat the chicken on day 1, steak on day 2, brats on day 3, grilled cheese on day 4, by day 5 the frozen hamburger put in on day 1 was thawed out enough to eat, but still cold enough to seem safe (still cooked it to well done). Cooler was strictly for meat/cheese.

[Bob23]

Nate:
   That is cool! Pun intended. Search here on the site for Jack Benny Cooler. A while back I experimented with putting a standard cooler (don't remember size/brand) into a 2" pink foam outer cooler and then tesing using indoor/outdoor thermometer. The results are on the thread somewhere but I was able to maintain cold inside even though the outside temps were in the 80's.
   I'll be using the same idea although with a smaller thickness foam outer cooler and insulated bubble wrap used for HVAC ducts inside the standard cooler. I need to keep more than meat cold- there's beer and cheese to consider!
Bob23

[Shawn]

"The Igloo 48 quart cooler looks like it might squeeze in:"

That is most likely going to be to wide to fit. I'm almost positive 25 3/4" is wider than the opening.

Shawn

[Shawn]

"My boat came with the box, but the PO never gave me the table.  The table is the top to the box I think. "

Not really. There are slides on the top of the storage area that the table fits into to store it. Part of that covers the box but the table goes to just under the stair.

Shawn

[brackish]

"The Igloo 48 quart cooler looks like it might squeeze in:"

That is most likely going to be to wide to fit. I'm almost positive 25 3/4" is wider than the opening.

Shawn

He hasn't mentioned whether he has a box in there or not.  With the box gone that cooler turned 90 degrees will fit fine.  However you would have to pull it all the way out to open it.  Does the 3 have a lift up hinged panel that allows access to the cooler and allows the lid to be opened on the cooler without removing it if it is oriented width abeam?  The 4 does not?

[Shawn]

Yup, I was thinking cooler sideways with keeping the box to maximize storage. Is there enough height if you put that inline with the boat? Seems like that might still be tight

You can't really open the cooler with it sideways in the storage area. I've always pulled it out a few inches to make it easier to open. The Dometic has to come all the way out as it is hinged on the side.

Shawn

[HeaveToo]

I just figured out what you guys are talking about.  I don''t have a box.  The cooler would slide in long ways.

[BruceW]

I've got a cube shaped igloo that I put in the cabin sole, close to the bulkheads. I don't like it there, but I had too much junk under the companionway steps. I could see changing things around. I'd rather have a cooler under the seat-locker, but dang, that's a smaller opening than I had on my Suncat.

[HeaveToo]

http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm199/HeaveToo/Cooler_zps27454e86.jpg

Here it is.....It fits perfectly!!  It is a good size.