Hello BR Forum,

 

I'm working on a project for my Engineering major, and I was wondering if anyone here has some insight on camping out of their boats, specifically around keeping food/drinks cold, and the challenges of managing space for these coolers on a relatively small boat (compared to something like a houseboat where you don't have to worry about it as much). I'm mostly interested in multiple day/night trips away from shore power/marinas, but if you have something to share about day trips that's welcome as well. 

If you don't mind having a short "interview" discussion with me over DMs, please let me know. Nothing serious, just a few sentences about some problems or pain-points in keeping a cooler cold and/or where to put a cooler on your boat. 

 

Also, if your feedback is "I have no issues with this, what are you talking about?" that is helpful too! Or if keeping food/drinks cold isn't the issue, but something else is, I'm happy to hear about that as well. 

I am currently planning an island camping/fishing trip for next year in which I’ll be taking my Jon boat to an island for several nights. I don’t have all the details ironed out yet, but I have some rough ideas on how I’m gonna go about it. Feel free to message me. I may not have much info to offer as it’s not something I’ve done before but I have been planning and pondering for a few weeks now. 

Dometic fridge with a power pack an option?

We canoe camp in the wilderness all the time, no access to power. Freeze big jugs and you can have cold stuff for the first 2-3 days, they will make your ice last a little longer. After that we just switch to fresh fish/frogs or dehydrated meals as backup. And switch from beer to whiskey……..

9 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

And switch from beer to whiskey……..

You’ve never been deployed to Iraq for a year and the PX gets its “near beer” shipment in. Temperature doesn’t matter then…😂😂

 

To the OP, and to play with what is said above, if you “pre-cool” your cooler with frozen jugs of water, ice packs, etc. it will stay colder longer as well.  You could design a solar option, or some sort of option maybe that pulls power generated from your paddling out and about?

A GOOD cooler, Yeti, Ritic or something of such quality and dry ice. Keeping the lid closed is key, food storage not beer storage!

 

Use block ice and keep it closed. 

I am going to invent a livewell that dispenses ice instead of water and retire. Oh no I’ve said too much…….

1 minute ago, TnRiver46 said:

I am going to invent a livewell that dispenses ice instead of water and retire. Oh no I’ve said too much…….

You are startling close to my project idea haha. 

 

You can't be saying this stuff out loud, it's my idea too!

Get the beer cold on the fridge before putting on ice in your cooler.