[Blacktip Shark]

Here's my dilemma... Bought a fishing paddle board. Took it out yesterday for a paddle just to try it out. Found out quickly that my $20 Igloo Marine couldn't hold up my PHATA**... So now I'm in the market. Only stipulation is I don't want to break the bank and must be able to hold a slot red or two(wishful thinking)... Thinking larger than 20qt but no more than 40qt???

 

[JimD]

They make different fish bags that will probably work. I used to use the old Sam's better cold bag for the kayak but sooner or later a fish will poke holes and it will leak in the car unless you set it in another cooler or container.

Good fish bags used to be 60$ and up compared to the under 5 dollar Sam's bag but any of the cheap ones will work for couple hrs on the board if you understand the problems with holes eventually. Plus that gives you more money to invest to find the right bag unless you want to lose enough weight to use a cooler. They lay flat and cause less wind drag too.

 

[southpaw]

you looking to be able to stand/sit on the cooler? If that's the case your best bet with your budget is to buy a piece of starboard or something similar and screw it to the lid of your igloo marine

 

[karstopo]

I know they make some Yeti-like chests that sell for a whole lot less than a Yeti. Like the other person said, there are plenty of fish bags, but it sounds like you need a seat/ice chest deal.

 

[markmc2]

you looking to be able to stand/sit on the cooler? If that's the case your best bet with your budget is to buy a piece of starboard or something similar and screw it to the lid of your igloo marine

THIS^

 

[Blacktip Shark]

Thanks all for the responses... Yes, needing to be able to sit/stand on cooler/ice chest.

 

[Bull Red]

https://www.rticcoolers.com/shop/coolers/roto-molded/RTIC-45-White

They are on back order now, but this might be what you want.

 

[markmc2]

the more expensive coolers with the same external dimensions will have significantly smaller interior dimensions as well and much more weight.

 

[Blacktip Shark]

the more expensive coolers with the same external dimensions will have significantly smaller interior dimensions as well and much more weight.

Exactly what I was thinking. In the pic, the 19qt Igloo Marine is perfect and I can get a slot red in there...

 

[Blacktip Shark]

I might just have to rig the 19qt with a plank or some sort of plastic(cutting board) so that it'll spread the weight over the entire top, not just the middle.

 

[markmc2]

a piece of 1x12 cedar from Lowes would work and not rot. cut grooves in the top to make it non-slip (table saw or router).

 

[8weight]

I'd recommend this little Engel 30 for $75 (they also have a 19: http://www.engelcoolers.com/coolers/adventure-coolers/boating-coolers/30qt-cooler-drybox

Lots of yakkers and SUPers use the Engels.

 

[Blacktip Shark]

a piece of 1x12 cedar from Lowes would work and not rot. cut grooves in the top to make it non-slip (table saw or router).

Yup... Might have to go this route?

 

[Blacktip Shark]

I'd recommend this little Engel 30 for $75 (they also have a 19: http://www.engelcoolers.com/coolers/adventure-coolers/boating-coolers/30qt-cooler-drybox

Lots of yakkers and SUPers use the Engels.

I was looking at that but wanted to see one first hand... You know of a place that have them? Looked at Academy, they sell em' but its an online item only.

 

[JimD]

How about a new kayak instead?

 

[southpaw]

I was looking at that but wanted to see one first hand... You know of a place that have them? Looked at Academy, they sell em' but its an online item only.

I know a few guys that have those and I would not recommend sitting or standing on it. It's not much stronger than what you have now and the lid will break pretty easily if you sit on it. Unless you want to pony out the money for a RTIC or Yeti, id just reinforce the cooler lid you have now.

Another option you may consider is getting/making a casting platform to sit and stand on and getting a soft cooler for drinks and fish. I have a little microskiff and I bought an aluminum dunnage rack and bolted a piece of starboard to the top of it to make a casting platform. Cost me a little under $100

Other options I looked into were buying a shower seat like this

but that seems a little less stable than what I ended up with.

I also have an AO softsided cooler and it keeps ice for a long time and has a really tough liner that will withstand the pricks and pokes of fish spines

http://www.amazon.com/AO-Coolers-Si...W/ref=sr_1_2?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1462911424&sr=1-2&keywords=Ao+coolers

 

[8weight]

I was looking at that but wanted to see one first hand... You know of a place that have them? Looked at Academy, they sell em' but its an online item only.

Where are you located? If you go to the Engel website and hit "Stores" up top, they have lots of retailers that sell them around Houston including West Marine and Austin Canoe and Kayak...those are just 2 but they have tons of other retailers.

I think the stainless steel latches would be a neat feature in case you flip or take a tumble from your kayak/SUP.

Plenty of folks sit on these. Call AKC and talk to them about it since they are geared to fishing out of Kayaks and SUPs.

 

[markmc2]

dude, this one would double as a bait bucket!