Our smallish square hard shell cooler just wasn't cutting it. Never did and never will.
Then I came across this thread started by @Jackdaw .
http://forums.sailboatowners.com/index.php?threads/the-ideal-take-along-cooler.170446/
I measured the inner dimensions of our current cooler, thought the 12 pack cooler would give us a little more room so I ordered the Polar Bear 12-pack cooler.
I made a little mistake. The PB dimensions were external, not internal. It was okay for bottles of water and ice but too tight to put our hoagies in it without them getting squished.
So I called Polar Bear and got an answering machine. Left a message not expecting a quick call back. I got called in about 15 minutes. I explained I got the 12-pack but it was too small and wanted to know the internal size of the 24 pack. He explained to consider it the size of a gym bag and for what it to hold it would be plenty big enough.
Here is where it gets good.
He told me I could send back the 12-pack size in exchange for the larger one plus cost difference. I said I could still use the small one sometimes so he said he would give me 20% off the new one or free shipping, whichever was the best value.
I also asked for it to be embroidered with our boat name. No problem, might add 5 days. That was last Thursday. On Wed it arrived but no boat name.
I called and explained it came without the boat name and dang were we a little disappointed as it arrived just as we were leaving for a long say sail and could have used it.
He explained they had loaded new software and somehow the order got screwed up so they would send out a new one with the boat name on it. I asked do I need an RMA for the one we just got. He said no, keep it. No charge. GREAT!
The new one just arrived, has our boat's name on it and is ready for today's sailing trip.
So a shout out to Geoff at PolarBearCoolers.com for great customer service.
And I agree with those who in jackdaw's thread on how much nicer a soft sided cooler is on a sail boat.
Then I came across this thread started by @Jackdaw .
http://forums.sailboatowners.com/index.php?threads/the-ideal-take-along-cooler.170446/
I measured the inner dimensions of our current cooler, thought the 12 pack cooler would give us a little more room so I ordered the Polar Bear 12-pack cooler.
I made a little mistake. The PB dimensions were external, not internal. It was okay for bottles of water and ice but too tight to put our hoagies in it without them getting squished.
So I called Polar Bear and got an answering machine. Left a message not expecting a quick call back. I got called in about 15 minutes. I explained I got the 12-pack but it was too small and wanted to know the internal size of the 24 pack. He explained to consider it the size of a gym bag and for what it to hold it would be plenty big enough.
Here is where it gets good.
He told me I could send back the 12-pack size in exchange for the larger one plus cost difference. I said I could still use the small one sometimes so he said he would give me 20% off the new one or free shipping, whichever was the best value.
I also asked for it to be embroidered with our boat name. No problem, might add 5 days. That was last Thursday. On Wed it arrived but no boat name.
I called and explained it came without the boat name and dang were we a little disappointed as it arrived just as we were leaving for a long say sail and could have used it.
He explained they had loaded new software and somehow the order got screwed up so they would send out a new one with the boat name on it. I asked do I need an RMA for the one we just got. He said no, keep it. No charge. GREAT!
The new one just arrived, has our boat's name on it and is ready for today's sailing trip.
So a shout out to Geoff at PolarBearCoolers.com for great customer service.
And I agree with those who in jackdaw's thread on how much nicer a soft sided cooler is on a sail boat.
