Where to put a cooler in the 185 sport

[jcohen17]

Where is the best spot for a cooler in the 185 sport?

 

[VTSeaRay]

I'm not sure about the new 185 sports, but on my 185, I could put it on the engine port side under the aft cover. There is an option you can get from Sea Ray that converts the space under the rear seats to coolers with drains into the bilge, do a search, a couple here have done it themselves, (Merge360 for one).

-VtSeaRay

 

[rktktpaul]

I never really found a good place for the cooler inside the boat. This year I intend to keep it on the swim platform somehow.

 

[cdefreit]

I usually keep mine right at the bow strapped with bungies to the cleats. I may try the swim platform to conserve space in the boat.

 

[Merge360]

VTSeaRay... Thanks for the plug! Got that boat on the water yet?

jcohen17.... Here's what VTSeaRay is refering to... I ran into the same problem about two years ago in my Sport 195.... Not enough floor space when we had a cooler or two in the boat with us. Saw this upgrade for the coolers on this site and asked about them. The coolers will fit the 185 and 195... Here's a pic just for reference....

<a href="http://s84.photobucket.com/albums/k16/merge360/?action=view&current=Boatresizedcoolerpic.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k16/merge360/Boatresizedcoolerpic.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[Merge360]

Oops.... Wrong link... Let's try again...

 

[fragmag]

I strap mine to the swim platform when anchored, or keep the cooler next to the engine compartment. I have also filled the bins under the rear seats with ice and stored drinks in there. Not a ton of room, but at $3.75/gal, I can live with it.

 

[VTSeaRay]

VTSeaRay... Thanks for the plug! Got that boat on the water yet?

Hey!

Yes, I finally got her out last Saturday, only for a little while, (it was 58 degrees, and the water was 40 degrees, with a light wind) But, I went a few miles, ran great!

-VtSeaRay

 

[jcohen17]

Thanks for the pic! how much does the dealer charge to put those coolers in?

 

[Mudfly]

I have the coolers under the rear bench seat but if two 18 packs are not enough then I strap a large cooler on the swim platform.

 

[gr8daneh]

Thanks for the pic! how much does the dealer charge to put those coolers in?

TOO damn much!!! Do it yourself. It is a fairly easy job with the right tools and a vacuum with helper (very important) to keep the fiberglass dust from coating everything. It took me about 3 hours total due to the rotozip bits I was using. They did not cut the fiberglass very well and it took a long time. I would not recommend using a dremel or rotozip because of the fine dust created. Maybe a saber saw? Good luck! :smt001

 

[Merge360]

The dealer wanted an arm and a leg to install them, so, I tackled it myself. I initially tried a saber saw.... bad idea. Too much "up and down" motion (can I say that in this forum! Ha!) that caused a bunch of vibration. Broke out the RotoZip, bought some blades for fiberglass and went to work. I went through about 18-20 blades, took me about 2 hours... But it was time well spent and about $250 saved in labor.

If you decide to tackle the project yourself, you know the old saying... Measure twice, cut once!