There’s no better way to spend a beautiful summer day than out on the water! If you’re heading out for a full day, whether it’s by yourself, with the kids, or on a big group outing, you’re going to want to bring a cooler with you. And nothing will taint a great day on the water more than flat drinks and warm snacks! So let’s unpack the best tips for packing a cooler for a long day on the water!
Prep Your Cooler
Pre-chill: If you want the contents of your cooler to last longer, preparing it overnight is the first step. The night before, store your cooler in a cool area if possible and fill it with ice you don’t need for the next day to lower the cooler’s internal temperature.
Make a good base: Block ice makes a great base for a cooler because it melts slower than cubed ice. Another great base is frozen water jugs, as these keep your cooler cold without filling the cooler with water as they melt.
Choose Your Layers Wisely
Bottom layer: The bottom of your cooler is the coldest area, so you should place anything that needs to stay cold the most on the bottom, like meats or frozen water bottles.
Middle layer: In this layer, pack your food in waterproof, airtight containers so they don’t get soggy as your ice starts to melt.
Top layer: This is the most accessible layer, so this is where you want to make sure you pack any drinks and snacks that you know you’ll be reaching for frequently. This way, you can keep the lid closed as much as possible.
Maximize Your Ice Retention
Fill in the gaps: As you pack each layer, fill in the gaps with cubed ice because air pockets will speed up the melting process.
Add insulation: If you’ve got the room in your cooler, you can add extra insulation to the top of your cooler. You can use a towel or reflective car sunshade as your top layer to help keep your cooler extra cold.
Keep it closed: The most obvious and easiest way to get your ice to last is to keep your cooler lid closed as much as possible. Double-check with your group for what everyone needs before you crack open the cooler.
Pro Tips For Your Cooler
Double your coolers: If you’ve got the space, utilize two coolers on the water – one for drinks and one for food. This will help keep your food cooler, cold longer, since you’ll be opening it less if the drinks are separate.
Drain wisely: Don’t drain all of the water in your cooler until the end of the day. Cold water will help keep the remaining ice and food cold, so only drain enough water to stop any floating.
Freeze your drinks: For a long day on the water, you can freeze water bottles or juice boxes to double as ice packs. Then, later in the day, you’ll have extra cold drinks.
Now that your cooler is packed, it’s time to hit the water! Hopefully, your boat is ready to handle the adventure that awaits! If not, Taylor’s South Shore Marina can help! If you’re located near Waynesville, OH, our dealership can help you if you need a new boat or servicing for your current boat. We also offer boat rentals on Cowan Lake! Whatever you need to get out on the water, we’re here to make it happen!
