RT188P and RT198P Cooler

[TexomaDan]

It is my understanding that the built in cooler on these boats drain into the bilge. Anyone actually use them? My concern is that draining into the bilge might cause mold/mildew unless you are able to completely dry each time. I've had boats with slight leaks in livewell that caused mildew in <1 week.

Any problems with this?

I am still debating a 2019 RT188 versus the 2020 RT188P.

[Bleed Blue]

I have not used my cooler yet so I can't help with that. But I will say you definitely need to go with the P model, huge difference.

[justsomeguy]

When I had my RT188 I used one of the rear compartments as a cooler since it was totally foamed in, it drained into the bilge but never saw any mildew. does get pretty hot where I live though.

[tcesni]

I've used my rear compartment numerous times as a cooler, no problem with mold. I typically store my boat with the back hatch slightly opened.

[pabasshawk]

I have not seen many boats that didn't get a little water in the bilge, that is where rain goes, and most boats have a drain grill somewhere on the floor. That is why you have a bilge pump and a drain plug that you pull to drain the bilge.

[King_Fish]

I use the on-board cooler every outing, and I must say they are GREAT coolers... Yes, they do drain into the bilge. X2 on what pabasshawk says above.

PS - if you can swing it, X2 on the Pad hull, big difference!!!

Every so often I squirt some Dawn dishwashing fluid into the bilge and let 'er swish around and that seems to keep it fairly clean

[pabasshawk]

I use the on-board cooler every outing, and I must say they are GREAT coolers... Yes, they do drain into the bilge. X2 on what pabasshawk says above.

PS - if you can swing it, X2 on the Pad hull, big difference!!!

Every so often I squirt some Dawn dishwashing fluid into the bilge and let 'er swish around and that seems to keep it fairly clean

I do the same thing with a little Dawn dish soap squirted into the bilge when I take the trailer on the road so it sloshes around good. Keeps the bilge nice and clean. And yes the cooler on my 198P works great.

[Pagregss]

You'll find that you'll really never get all of the water out of the bilge area from various sources, unless you take a sponge to it. the drain just doesn't sit low enough to let it all out, even when you tilt the boat up. So, probably not a big concern.