TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Coolers

I am reading over "old posts" and advice getting my thoughts together for our summer charter. I have used the Polar Bear cooler to bring down some basic items and it works well. Why fix it if it is not broken?

That said I have some questions.

Anyone use dry ice for the travel? Wouldn't this take less space, more efficient? Any issues or thoughts of using dry ice?

What about Yeti or other type of longer lasting coolers to bring down some prepared dinners and other personnel favorite foods?

My thought is; Now I can also use the "Yeti" type of cooler on the charter boat for our essentials...beer for one! The reason I was thinking this is the coolers supplied with the charter barely last a day.

Any thoughts on these conundrums?

Who are you planning on chartering with?

We took a polar bear cooler (which is very light empty) on 2 trips this past year. 1st time was packed with frozen meat(NO dry ice) and loaded at 0600 on morning of departure from Atlanta and still frozen when we reached the boat at 1800.

On 2nd trip, since we were staying at hotel prior to departure, I put smallest block of dry ice (partial block which weighed 2 pounds) in top of cooler as we left house and 24 hrs later, everything frozen solid! No peaking!!

A hard cooler will weigh more, especially the "Yeti type". If filled with meat, it will easily exceed the standard luggage limits, adding $$$ to costs.

The soft Polar Bear, is used on excursions to shore if getting Ice or frozen goods, taking cold drinks on shore excursions, and when empty, my clothing carry on duffle goes in Polar Bear Cooler for the return trip.

And our SEA TIGER ( TMM fleet) has an Engel cooler... I doubt any of the charter companies are going to advertise the "owner upgrades" like this.



Wes Turton
s/v SEA TIGER
(Proud sponsor TTOL: See our Banner Ad)

We've found that if you pack your cooler full with frozen foods (and keep it closed during your trip) you won't need dry ice as everything will stay frozen for at least 24 hours.

You can use dry ice in the cooler but airlines have restrictions on how much so best to check directly with your airline for info.

The night before we leave we pack the frozen meat/meals in a igloo 5 day cooler, we add dry ice to it and let it sit overnight. We remove the dry ice before we leave for the airport. Stays completely frozen for 3 days.

Most charter companies will buy the cooler, at the end of your charter for $40. Then we don't have to take it home.

http://www.fleetfarm.com/detail/Igloo-Ma...CFViBswodZYUN7Q

Do you check the cooler as is or what? What is the largest you can take as carry on? If I were to take frozen sauce, is it considered a liquid? Thanks...

Frozen liquids like yogurt and chili are not welcome in carryon baggage.

We have taken a Polar Bear many times. We never used dry ice and properly frozen and packed meat will stay solid for 24-36 hours if you don't open the cooler.

Yetis as so heavy that I would think you would be charged hefty overweight fees.

Basically everything said pretty much confirms....if it's not broke don't fix it...stay with the Polar Bear. It has worked for me several times. I read about it here several years ago, I was just seeing if anything better has come up.

I checked on the CO2 at Delta and seems a bit of a hassle. Like everyone else said by freezing everything good and hard before we leave it is still good that night upon arrival. We use some "Gell Blue Ice" to help with the journey.

So I think stay the plan...1 Polar Bear for the frozen food...then one small case for some dried goods. Mainly this is food that is particular to the peculiar tastes to a few of the crew. If you catch my drift.

[/quote]
What is the largest you can take as carry on? If I were to take frozen sauce, is it considered a liquid? Thanks... [/quote]

The largest cooler you can take as carry-on must conform to the carry-on size restrictions imposed by the airline you are flying. For most US based carriers it's something like 22"x14"x9".

Any frozen item that in it's normal unfrozen state that is a liquid or gel will not pass through TSA. Thus, frozen sauce, won't cut it.

Another polar bear cooler fan here. We vacuum seal food and freeze it solid. We check the cooler as luggage. Never used dry ice and it stays frozen for the trip down and then some. Once on the boat, it makes a great catch all for liquor bottles since it has nice padding!

We check it as baggage. Since we get rid of the dry ice before we head to the airport, no paperwork required

This year we will be on land for 3 days prior to getting the boat. It will still be frozen solid.

What size polar bear is recommended? Im headed down with the captain and 2 friends the last week of February. Plan on eating out 1/2 the time but love the idea of bringing somethings frozen. We did this years ago with my family but I think it was a regular cooler then.

Rigirly

I've taken a gallon container of frozen Bolognaise sauce each of the past four years with never an issue. Also take as a carryon.

What size? depends on your needs. We have several, one in each size and two of the 48 can size.

By far, we use the 48 can size ones the most. We have checked the 48 can size many times and it has served us we. Watch the weight, we have bumped up against the 50 pound limit.

We have taken the 24 can along for beach use but I just haven't warmed to it. Further, I almost never use it at home for two reasons.

First, the coolers weight so little, I simply rather have the extra capacity so always grab the larger one.

Second, when we use the coolers for beach/travelling/overflow storage at our cabin, I am generally storing things like wine, meals in containers, sandwiches, etc. that I don't want smashed/jammed in the cooler. the 48 can gives me more room for ice/packs and placement of my stuff without crushing anything.

We are a family of 3 and tend to pack for an entire beach day and somewhat elaborate lunches at that. If we were a single bottle of water, single sandwich per person lunch type of family, maybe the 24 can would be ok.

As much as I love the Polar Bear products, I sort of hate the backpack version. I used it for one trip and it has sat in my basement ever since. The tall, skinny design just doesn't work for me, it requires a tetris-style packing that I don't like.

OK here comes the foolish part of all this. How do you vacuum pack the food? Is this one of those TV specials that I see so often? Do I pay $19.99 and get some extras when I buy this from the TV Special?

Help me out!!! Where, how and who on Vacuum packing. I see it all the time on TV and just have not taken that leap!!!

Now when I took a big trip overseas with a lot of luggage I packed a lot of clothes in vacuum bags and used a vacuum cleaner to reduce the volume it worked pretty good....but do not know about how and what to do with food.

Thanks for details...

The food is sealed with special machine and probably available at Walmart as bags are. Bags can come in Pre made bags (1 end already sealed) or roll where cut and seal end, making size bags you need.
Once I make burgers(seasoned), I place in freezer to let harden before vac-packing so that the vac-pack process does not further flatten/distort. Filets, chicken, fish, etc.

We can take a week worth of meat/cheese for 6 people (eat out every other night) in a 24 can cooler. Sometimes take 2 coolers for 2 weeks food. I have not tried the 48 can but knew many concerned about weight when loaded.

Re: Dry Ice, had less than 5 pounds (which is the limit per person) and TSA never blinked an eye. Went through X-ray machine and no issues or questions

Concerning the vac packing....

I would put in an order at our butcher (we are fortunate to have an old-timey butcher in my town) and he would vac pack according to my instructions and deep freeze it for me.

I recently broke down and bought a food saver vac pack machine and I love it.

All that being said, you don't need to have the stuff vac packed. The benefits are leak protection and ease of preparation. I find it easy and quick to thaw meats in the packs in warm water but hat might not be an issue in the tropics.

Well packaged/well wrapped items will do just fine as long as it is frozen solid.

Great info - thanks for the info on sizes etc.

Rigirly

I use a vacmaster 112. It can vacuum seal liquids.

If you don't vacuum pack and freeze you run a very high risk of food poisoning and/or having to find a way to keep the food cold during your likely day long trip. In case you aren't aware, food must be kept at 41 degrees or cooler to be safely cooked/consumed.

To answer previous questions, just pay $100 and buy a vacuum sealer with bags not just for trips but to buy product in quantity and vacuum seal and freeze. Food lasts considerably longer and at a much higher quality than just feeezing and wrapping with foil.

Yes, I do understand the basics of freezing and food safety.

I'm still amazed anyone bothers with bringing food to the BVI. Last time I did that was 1985. Sailed every year since 1981. BVI has plenty of great food choices and the stores are so frequent now on the cruise route that reprovisioning in route is simple and often fun. IMHO

Maybe a little different use, but has anybody experienced the Ice Mule coolers? I wonder how they'd work for the islands...

http://www.icemulecooler.com/

I think some people like to get into vacation mode early and that's why they bring food from home. Thriftiness is probably a driving force as well Oh, and time at home is more ample than time hustling around provisioning once on the island.

That's exactly the reason, time spent on island.

Okey Dokey... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

I have this vacuum sealer:
https://www.amazon.com/FoodSaver-Automat...+vacuum+sealers
While I wouldn't buy one just for a trip to the BVI's, I do use mine often. We stock up on meats and portion them in 2 portion packets. Plus, I make lots of soup and freeze in vacuum seal bags.
Like others have said, it's not necessary just makes it nice & neat (and eliminates freezer burn if you decide to get things ready a month or so in advance)

Have a couple 48 can and a 24 can polar bear coolers now at condo and in boat locker on Virgin Gorda . If your goods are frozen and you have techn ice or regular ice packs on top in the am of your departure it will arrive hard as a carp if arriving same day. Cargo at altitude of 30k ft..is mighty cold.

AO Coolers makes a 36 can cooler and that size is my personal favorite- we have 24, 36 & 48 sizes in both brands. The 36 size is also suitable for carry on.

We've frozen marinades before and not had an issue with TSA but we were probably just lucky.

Vacuum sealers are the best. (I also enjoy vaccum sealing suntan lotion and bugspray (u dont have to take all the air out of the bag) Insurance against leakage.)

I will use your sunscreen idea next month. I used to use ziplocs but I got cocky with the liquid management for a while and it came back to haunt me last trip to FL, what a mess!

Well this pleases me Cleobeach!

I also like traveling with a Sharpie or 2 during my travels....I now wrap up the cap and pen with a piece of tape no matter where I store it/them.

For many years now I've also carried duct tape (Goriila brand) and zip ties during travels....always handy.

I also carry zip ties! I use them to secure important items like keys and certain items in my carry on to the inside of my bag (it has an attached D ring). Misplaced keys and TSA check point theft taught me this.

I also carry a tiny thing of super glue for emergency repairs and first aid.

Has anyone tried an electronic cooler. These claim to freeze food. https://www.dometic.com/en/se/products/food-and-beverage/cooling-boxes/powered-boxes

We have a Dometic electric cooler on our boat in RI. Likely too heavy to ship but works well as a second fridge for us. Keeps the captain's beer cold. Some units can be split freezer/cooler, all freeze or all cool.

Rigirly

We use the 18can Polar Bear backpack.
If it's really full with food, it can be pretty heavy. So
weight is an issue. After I fill it to a reasonable weight,
I fill it with something light but I fill all the space.
Agree with Colleen about the dry ice. Get your stuff
super cold and discard any remaining ice just before
you pack the car. Don't open the bag for any reason
other than a curious TSA agent. Stuff will be frozen for
a long time.
If you're not sure about a vacuum sealer, just borrow
one from your neighbor. They really are pretty cool and
I really like the idea of sealing up the little liquid toiletries.

Having said all that, the stores in Virgin Gorda are getting
better every year. This spring I'm going to do more local
shopping and try to compare quality and selection a little
more closely. It may be to the point where all this may be
unnecessary. We'll see.

Mike
Trying to be the man my dog thinks I am