Compartments for Coolers

[Bank Shot]

I have a '96 model 221 Elite that I've had for ten years and will (hope to) keep forever. It is really terrific. One of the few things that I find aggravating is the lack of a built-in cooler. This boat has many big compartments, I wonder why Champion didn't insulate one to use as a cooler? Every time I have to navigate around my Igloo on the floor--I think about it. Over the years, I have tried several and they don't keep anything cold long.

Is there a way to insulate one of the boxes now? Like one of the cooler sized boxes directly behind the helm and passenger seats. Do any of you have experience with this? I can't be the only Champ owner that feels this way.

[Bluesman]

There is a post on the Restoration Forum about converting a livewell to a cooler. Some have used silver sided insulated board to line the walls and another drilled holes and injected expanding spray foam.

http://www.bbcboards.net/zerothread?id=598721

If you have an extra storage compartment with a drain, seems like an easy fix to create a cooler.

[kris_tx]

My 97 202 has a step up cooler and a cooler under the middle seat in the bench.

[Lea]

The step-up to the front deck is the insulated cooler on your 96 221. Pretty much all Champions have built-in coolers. In some cases, it is a rear box...in others, under the middle seat, and still others is the step-up.

[BILLY]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Lea &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">The step-up to the front deck is the insulated cooler on your 96 221. Pretty much all Champions have built-in coolers. In some cases, it is a rear box...in others, it is the step-up. </td></tr></table>
Lea, how do you know he has the step up cooler?

[ilovesmallies]

my 96 186 has a cooler under the middle seat and 2 just behind the seat. in the summer the ice wont make it a whole day. i have just become used to packing a small ice chest to guarantee everything stays cold all day.

[Lea]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by BILLY &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">
Lea, how do you know he has the step up cooler?</td></tr></table>

I sure hope he does, as it was standard on the 96 221.

Smallies, your compartments in your 186 behind your seats are "wet storage", not coolers. Your cooler is the under-middle-seat one.

[BILLY]

Oh. ok. as my 191 1996 elite and 1995 202 also should have been an elite does not have the step up cooler.

[Lea]

That's true, not all Elites of that era have step-ups, but ALL Champs have an insulated cooler somewhere..... according to brochures...And the 221 shows the step-up as standard.

(Good thing my boat has one...else I would need a boost to get up onto the front deck... )

[Bank Shot]

Hello Lea,

Thank you for your expertise. You and this forum are an incredible source of information for us Champ nuts. Your personal depth of knowledge on the subject of our favorite boat is encyclopedic.

To tell you the truth, I had never even considered the step up compartment as a cooler. It is pretty small, so I have always used it just for docking and anchor lines. I'll try it out, but it's kinda tiny to hold a days liquid refreshments with ice. But if it works thats great.

Since you are such a treasure trove of information, could you tell me what the intended purpose was for the small 12" x 5" hatch directly behind the butt seat in the bow? Also what is the long and narrow hatch, approx 48" x 8", located behind the helm seats? That's where all my daily garbage goes, but I can't imagine that Champion designed it for trash.

Just thought of another question, when I got this boat it had the black light sockets and plugs, but I have never seen the black light rigs that are supposed to be used in them. Do you know anything about this option?

Sorry about all the questions, but even after ten years with this boat, I'm still learning.

Bank Shot Paul

[Bank Shot]

Lea,

Did you notice that your next post will be your number 25,000? Wow, what a lot of effort to support our questions, trials and tribulations. Congratulations.

Bank Shot Paul

[BILLY]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Bank Shot &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Hello Lea,

Thank you for your expertise. You and this forum are an incredible source of information for us Champ nuts. Your personal depth of knowledge on the subject of our favorite boat is encyclopedic.

To tell you the truth, I had never even considered the step up compartment as a cooler. It is pretty small, so I have always used it just for docking and anchor lines. I'll try it out, but it's kinda tiny to hold a days liquid refreshments with ice. But if it works thats great.

Since you are such a treasure trove of information, could you tell me what the intended purpose was for the small 12" x 5" hatch directly behind the butt seat in the bow? Also what is the long and narrow hatch, approx 48" x 8", located behind the helm seats? That's where all my daily garbage goes, but I can't imagine that Champion designed it for trash.

Just thought of another question, when I got this boat it had the black light sockets and plugs, but I have never seen the black light rigs that are supposed to be used in them. Do you know anything about this option?

Sorry about all the questions, but even after ten years with this boat, I'm still learning.

Bank Shot Paul</td></tr></table>

I have that 12x 5ish. on my 191. I use it as a cooler in the summer, and junk( pork, smellie stuff) in the winter.

[BILLY]

http://www.candomarineparts.com/StepUpCoolers.html

[ilovesmallies]

lea you know it all. the guy who sold me it used them as ice chest so i didnt know otherwise. they are easier to have your buddy grab you a frosty beverage. hopefully my ice will last longer now.

[kris_tx]

48 x 8 is for life vests

[Lea]

Thanks, kris. I had no idea.....

Paul, I hope someone else can answer about the purpose for the other compartment (Billy has good ideas for its use) and the blacklight. I honestly have never seen one...however, C&O Marine, or one of the older Champion dealers, might have them....

(My step-up cooler is way smaller than the one on your 221! )

OK, here's one for you guys....in the list of features for the 1996 Elites, it shows "Bird boxes". Are those the little carpeted boxes under the console (s) for small odds and ends like spare glasses, cell phone, etc. ? My 1999 187 had one under the driver console.

[ilovesmallies]

my 96 186 has the bird box under the console. how can you tell if it's an elite? does it say under the champion side emblem because mine does says champion.

[TOddLahey]

My 95 202 scx elite does not have a cooler and I was actually thinking of making a step up cooler like those listed on c & o website but it would be easier just to buy one. None of those are listed as for a 202 anybody have an idea if the others listed will fit?
I do not have compartments under the seat as I have the second tank.

[Tx Champ]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by ilovesmallies &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">my 96 186 has the bird box under the console. how can you tell if it's an elite? does it say under the champion side emblem because mine does says champion.</td></tr></table>

My 93 201 had a Bird Box under each console. You can usually tell the Elites by having extra stripe in the top cap and arrow on the side along with carpeted and lighted compartments. The Elites were pretty well optioned out.

[BILLY]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by TOddLahey &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">My 95 202 scx elite does not have a cooler and I was actually thinking of making a step up cooler like those listed on c & o website but it would be easier just to buy one. None of those are listed as for a 202 anybody have an idea if the others listed will fit?
I do not have compartments under the seat as I have the second tank.
</td></tr></table>

Mine also. I am going to waite till I make a full flipping deck and add the step up cooler.