[Johnny Yuma]

I'm looking for insight as to which cooler brands/models will sit directly on the rails without the need for cooler mounts or a drop bag to keep it suspended.

 

[Riverwild]

I'm looking for insight as to which cooler brands/models will sit directly on the rails without the need for cooler mounts or a drop bag to keep it suspended.

Lots of brands will do this just fine. I have a Yeti 110 that would sit on the rails of my frame. However there are other factors at play. For instance if your frame bay isn't deep enough, the cooler will just sit on the floor of the raft and not be supported on the rails. On my boat with 21" tubes it sits on the floor and I have to suspend it, on my boat with 22" tubes it will rest on the rails. If you have an open bay on a Cat boat this wouldn't be an issue.

 

[zbaird]

The Canyon Prospector and Navigator are made to do this specifically with raft depth in mind when the cooler was designed.

 

[abprice]

+1 for Canyon Coolers.

I have the 105q Canyon Prospector. It sits directly on NRS frame. Perfect size for 14 foot raft.

 

[Whitewater Worthy Equip]

K2 coolers

 

[mttodd]

Canyon prospector as mentioned above. Front and side drain plugs. Floor is even radiused to match floor contour. There really isn’t any better setup for a raft. I’ve owned a lot of high end coolers and canyon fits the bill far better than any other.

 

[athelake]

Canyon. Hands down.

Lifetime warranty as well.

 

[LSB]

I like the look of the Prospector but it didnt say Bear Proof in the specs. I need one that will pass inspections.

 

[[email protected]]

I like the look of the Prospector but it didnt say Bear Proof in the specs. I need one that will pass inspections.

It is certified bear proof

 

[BGillespie]

Anyone using a Yeti 210? While it does not include a lip for resting on frame rails, it's a big cooler and dimensions look like it might play well with raft/cataraft ID.

 

[Treswright3]

I don't understand why any rafter would get any other cooler when the Canyon Prospector is available. Purpose built awesomeness. I have one in my raft and I just picked up a new to me used boat, turn key package, and immediately sold the yeti it came with and bought another Canyon. As a side note, Yeti (or the even better RTIC) coolers are too tall for fitting in rafts properly and the latches are not flip proof (saw a whole cooler dump in a flip).

 

[[email protected]]

I have a 103 prospector and love it. I bought it for my small raft. It is my go to cooler now for car camping and rafting. I own a lot of other coolers (nice ones and cheap ones), but none I like better. No straps over the top necessary unless you plan on flipping. I put one strap over top on bad ass rapids only. It sits perfectly level and rock solid on the frame. The only down side to the canyon 103 is that it is so easy and fast to get into, that I open it more than I really should or need to.

 

[JK_44]

We have a Yeti 210 that we built a custom module for. It sits on the rails and rides just fine on our 16' cat. We took it down the Grand and didn't open it until day 12. We had frozen 6" of solid ice in the bottom. After we opened it we used it for cocktails the rest of the trip and had a large chunk of ice left when we reached Pearce Ferry on day 25. It worked great for a Grand trip.

THAT being said, it is a massive cooler and pretty unwieldy starting at 62 lb. empty. Once you fill it up it can weigh quite a bit. It really is only good for longer trips. We are constantly putting in the drop bag and hauling the smaller cooler with some gear packed around it for trips 5 days or less.

 

[SherpaDave]

Lots of brands will do this just fine. I have a Yeti 110 that would sit on the rails of my frame. However there are other factors at play. For instance if your frame bay isn't deep enough, the cooler will just sit on the floor of the raft and not be supported on the rails. On my boat with 21" tubes it sits on the floor and I have to suspend it, on my boat with 22" tubes it will rest on the rails. If you have an open bay on a Cat boat this wouldn't be an issue.

Riverwild - I don’t have the 110 to try out on a frame but what I recall is that the latches would sit below the little lip on the front. I realize you said it sits on the floor but would the latches still work IF it rested directly on the frame?

I do have a Canyon Prospector and it’s the perfect size for my 156D.
I also have a Pelican and while it can’t rest directly on a frame it does have slots to strap it so it is solid and doesn’t shift around.

 

[Norcalcoastie]

I use an older Pelican Cooler. I had to flip the latches upside down, but it fits great. Plus it was on sale at Costco. Some times i forget to even strap it down. I use it as my rowers seat.

 

[Kodiak.]

Prospector all the way. Checks all the boxes.

Bear Proof
Front and Side Drain Plugs
Mounts that secure cooler to frame but still allow for opening the lid (throw extra strap over the lid to secure through rapids).

 

[Jamesdking]

yup Prospector all the way, they are cheap at the local Sportsman's Warehouse (360.00) and they work. They are hard to find parts for however. I found baskets on a Campsaver site and a latch at the local store (I'd assume they share parts with a like cooler). but they keep my beer cold and the hinge is solid. The mounting points are non_interference with the lid. A buddy flipped this weekend and reminded me that the latches wont hold up without a strap or TWO but man these things are handy. Raft inspired and USA made. whats to desire? unless its a Yeti. And I'll take yours and trade you. As a convenience.

 

[[email protected]]

Go on line to https://canyoncoolers.com/products/prospector-103 they have all the parts you want. Your warranty covers latches, plugs and the whole box.

 

[Treswright3]

Also, canyon is great about fixing anything with the lifetime warranty. I had one of the first prospectors and they had some small issue with a latch and they sent me replacements for free. I later lost a drain plug and they sent me one of those for free too.

 

[cupido76]

I use an older Pelican Cooler. I had to flip the latches upside down, but it fits great. Plus it was on sale at Costco. Some times i forget to even strap it down. I use it as my rowers seat.

Off topic... Sorry... But with rocket boxes in slings in your rowers compartment, don't they clang around noisily as your boat rocks?