My first mod...Cooler removal

So I decided to jump in with a fairly easy mod and do the cooler removal. I had read a few times about cutting it out and ordering an AO cooler that is soft sided that will fit right in. I didn't have a dremel tool so I decided to try an angle grinder I had. Probably not the best tool but worked ok. Toughest part was getting the blade into the corners. I tried to keep a shop vac going while working but still gets pretty messy.

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Overall it was pretty easy. It's nice to have a cooler that works well and fits nicely under the seat:)


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here is a link to the cooler if anyone is interested. I used the code SWA for a 10% discount.

http://www.aocoolers.com/index.cfm?category=15

Congrats! Now put a surf bag under there!!!!!!

Nice work!

So the cooler specs say 8.5" high - do you have that much space between the floor and your seat bases that it doesn't have to compress at all?

Why is this done?

So you can fit ballast under the left seats

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Or in op's case, looks like just for a better cooler!

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Not sure what year it started, but in my 2012 the cooler was just held in by 4 screws. I didn't have to cut anything. The AO is much better, and much easier to get bevs to/from the boat.

I was thinking about doing this to my boat (2002 Outback LSV) so I can add additional ballast under the cooler but I heard after removal you need to brace that section. Anyone with a similar boat have that issue?

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Originally Posted by cham

Why is this done?

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I did it because the original cooler is really crappy at keeping anything cold and it was cracked as well. The cooler fits in perfect without any scrunching.

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Originally Posted by MJR63

I was thinking about doing this to my boat (2002 Outback LSV) so I can add additional ballast under the cooler but I heard after removal you need to brace that section. Anyone with a similar boat have that issue?

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I chopped it out of my 02 with out any consequences. The only thing is there is no carpet in the inside wall. Either way still worth it!

Stay awesome!

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Originally Posted by 996scott

I did it because the original cooler is really crappy at keeping anything cold and it was cracked as well. The cooler fits in perfect without any scrunching.

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That makes sense, I like the idea of being able to pull it out.

Mine is foamed in so I couldn't do that but it does seem to hold two bags of ice for about a day and a half. My complaint is it need sections. It's too big, unless you've got a couple dozen drinks and two to three large bags of ice it's just drinks sliding around with some cubes of ice. I'm thinking of ways to make partitions.

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Originally Posted by MJR63

I was thinking about doing this to my boat (2002 Outback LSV) so I can add additional ballast under the cooler but I heard after removal you need to brace that section. Anyone with a similar boat have that issue?

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I cut mine out so I wouldn't have bags on the seats. No additional bracing required in my '11.

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Originally Posted by E4NASH

I cut mine out so I wouldn't have bags on the seats. No additional bracing required in my '11.

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I didn't think there was going to be a problem until I read this thread on cooler removal and the need for additional bracing.....

https://forum.moomba.com/showthread....Cooler+removal

From Mmandley:

I removed the one on the LSV as well last summer. Was no much nicer having the extra storage room.

New owner was glad it was gone as well.

I will however CAUTION you... If you run a ballast bag up there you need to figure out a way to mount a L brackit or something.

I was running a 450 bag for a while, and with that plus people siting on that side of the boat, the fiberglass bowed out almost 1/2inch from it normal sitting place. I have to push it back in and get it lined back up to its original place. The cooler is providing some anti-flex to that section of the boat.

Might be as easy as taking some aluminum L brace and epoxy them to the inside wall of that area, or mount it to the under side of the lip and to the floor.

I have a tube sac under there. Same sac that's in the floor locker. 370 pounds and fits absolutely perfect. This is year 2 like this and no problems. There is no brace on the opposite side either. I see no need for extra support.

Same here, ballast bag and no issues, could've been a defect on his boat when built, either way it's an easy fix if needed..

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Originally Posted by parrothd

Same here, ballast bag and no issues, could've been a defect on his boat when built, either way it's an easy fix if needed..

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Looks like you have a similar boat to mine. I only have 6" of height under my seats. Does the 370 lbs tube sac (specs show it as 10" high) push up the seats?

As far as bracing goes my thought is that you wouldn't really need it. The bottom of the cooler does not touch the floor so the cooler itself isn't giving any support. It is just suspended/hanging from the frame. At least it was that way in mine.

Pushing the seats up isn't an issue, usually people are sitting on them which pushes the excess out..

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Originally Posted by parrothd

Pushing the seats up isn't an issue, usually people are sitting on them which pushes the excess out..

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Looks like I'm buying the fly high tube sac! Cooler removal is on the mod list...looks like I'm going to busy in the off season w/ all my mods! :D

AOCoolers is running a Black Friday deal until 12/2. 18% off, code is XMAS18

We really like ours vs the old ice melter that came with the boat .

Do the boat ones (13" height) fit into the factory cooler?

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Originally Posted by KG's Supra24

Do the boat ones (13" height) fit into the factory cooler?

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It fits in the hole, not sure if it would nest in the existing cooler. It would be tight