The Boating Forum - SSI coolers

I've seen some recent posts mentioning a 183 qt SSI cooler. All I see in the catalogs is a 200 qt SSI (and the huge 320 qt). Where would I find a 183 qt? Have they quit making the 183? The 200 qt is too large for the bow space I have available, but the 183 qt should be very close. Any ideas on where to get the 183 qt.?

JB

Both Boaters World and West Marine used to sell them occasionally, you may find one still in stock there. I've had a 183 for 6 years and it's still in great shape.

Are they really that much better? I was going to give one a try until I saw that Price.OUCH!

Seacraft 23
Seavee 26

SSI really are that good. But I just go to Price Club and buy those 160 qt. Igloos for $49.00 dollars. I think this year they are $59.00. You can not beat that price. I use them on the boat for both fish box and bait well, on the deck as beer cooler and storage.

I have a SSI coffin(320 qt.) came with the boats it is a great cooler. Would I spend the money on one....No!
I also have one of the new igloo coolers and it will keep ice for a few days, more than long enough for me.
Dave

ALBEMARLE 28

I don't believe that SSI makes the 183 anymore. They make the 200 and the increased volume is the result of increasing the width of the cooler by a fairly large amount. Length and height are the same. In my case, that pushes the cooler too far into the cockpit area from it's position against the transom. According to SSI, they were forced to modify the 183 by increasing the width because the 183 was too tippy when someone stood on it. Some of my short fishing buddies would stand on the SSI to get rods out of the t-top rod holders and it would easily roll over. Not a problem when fishing because it was always full of ice, but otherwise, a problem that others were also having.

I have had my 183 for at least 6 years and it is still going strong. Only problem has been the bottom pads tend to crack from too many fat people sitting on it. Moral to that story is to keep short fat people off of your boat.
We went through the Igloo's and others before the SSI. They just do not hold up under the Florida sun. Also, the SSI is the longest of the coolers and we need the length for the type of fish that we target, ie, Dolphin/Wahoo. A 30# bull dolphin will just fit into the SSI, but a 20#er will barely fit in a 160 Igloo. If the tail sticks out of the cooler, the ice goes very fast. So what do we do with a 35# Dolphin?, we release him of course.

I've got an old 186 qt (maybe it is 183???) SSI. It doesn't look like it could but it does keep ice frozen for days even in Carolina summer heat. If I put four 40# bags (160# for the mathematically challenged) of ice in it on Monday at least half is still there on Friday. Like I said, it doesn't look like it should with the thin wall construction but it does.

Hal
'Albemarlin'

http://thehulltruth.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

I'll ck with West Marine and Boater's World, but it sounds as if I'm SOL on finding a 183 qt SSI. Anyone above that owns one, can you advise the measurements on it? Don't suppose you'd want to sell, would you???

I'm looking for either a fiberglass box or a cooler to put in the bow of my 26' CC. Boat has limited storage (due to being fully foamed), so I need the box for storage space. Doesn't necc have to hold ice, but that would be nice... just in case the fishbox gets full!

I've looked at dock boxes, but none available fit the space well. Either too small to be very useful, or too large for the space. The Igloo 162 would fit, but I'd like something taller. Again, to better utilize the space. I'm about down to getting a fiberglass box made to fit. Ideal size would be 20-22" wide X 40-42" long X 24-26" high. And even then, it would depend on the combination of those numbers.

Would appreciate any suggestions/guidance.

JB

I am only guessing, but my 183 is probably about 60" long.

JB,

Check into IBEX insulated fish boxes with a commercial supplier. There made for use as fish pallets, but a lot of sportfishers around here are replacing fighting chairs with an IBEX box. Makes better use of the cockpit space. They're just about as tall as they are long, and wider and shorter than your typical gigantic cooler. I never could find any good info on the web, but I'm sure you can find some at a good commercial fishing supplier.

JB2C:

I just looked through the newest Boating World magazine last night and saw a type of holding device that you are looking for in the advertisements. I can't remember which page it is on, but if you don't take Boating World, E-Mail me at [email protected] and I will copy the page and send it to you.

I bought one of those $60 igloos, and I'm shocked at how good it is. It has held ice for four days under the Carolina sun. I looked at SSI, but they are too big and too much. I'm interested in Gott coolers. My uncle has one that still holds ice great after at least 15 years. Aybody know where you can get Gott coolers?

I bel;ieve Gott got out of making the giant marine coolers some time ago, but I may be wrong. They used to make a really nice 172

Steve57,

I've got one of those Gott coolers (178 qt, I believe) that I don't use for fishing with anymore. I put new lids, straps and hinges on it last year. If you're interested in buying a used one in excellent condition, let me know. We're not too far apart from each other.

Gott was bought out several years ago by Rubbermaid. I believe you can still find the big boxes on the Rubbermaid site, but I have not looked in a while.

I have been using one of the big Gotts for years and it has been great.Even under a Texas sun! Hotter than Carolina do'ncha know!!

Try the Rubbermaid web site.

Good fishin'.....Bob

XACTICS BOX (http://www.fishindserv.co.nz/xactic.htm)

I need to start drinking agian. This Atkins thing, and the severe cold weather is affecting me.