New Boat/Travel Refrigerator Suggestions for 2026

[OverEasy]

Hi All!

It time for a new boat/travel refrigerator!
Our ‘old faithful’ thermonic ($20 garage sale) refrigerator has finally ‘kicked the bucket’ after five years of seasonal duty. It decided to do this just as we are preparing to launch for the 2026 season and hopefully an extended trip northward on the ICW from Beaufort SC.

We’d like to ask the forum for their experience, expertise, input and suggestions on what they might recommend for a replacement.

Our old thermonic was made by Coleman and fit nicely on the fwd bench of our Mac26X. Avialable Dimensions to fit into the same location are 24” wide x 16” deep x 17” tall (give or take an inch).

There have been various incidental discussions on the forum in the past about various different units avialable from various different manufacturers. Alpine cool seemed to be a common name that came up for some of the larger units that came with freezer sections but with our limited space I’m concerned that those would be larger than we can comfortably fit.

So if anyone out there has some suggestions for a good durable unit that can basically fit within our envelope we work be most appreciative!

Thanks in advance!

Best Regards
Over Easy

[tuxonpup]

I bought this Marsail 24QT 12V/24V last year to fit our X cooler space: https://www.amazon.com/Marsail-Refriger ... r=1-3&th=1

It fits in the back seat of our Santa Cruz and plugs into it's 12V outlet for the 6 hour drive up to Lake Powell. A 24qt works for us as I carry it in/out of the car to the hotel room, as well as on/off the boat. Might actually add the internal battery option for those times we park and want to leave it running with the car off.

[Russ]

We have an Edgestar Fridge/Cooler. I see MANY options today that are much cheaper.

The most important feature is an actual compressor. Those thermoelectric things are a total joke.

Probably need to measure the space you intend to place it first.

[Be Free]

I use the F40C4TMP 20Q model. I've been using it fairly often over the last 3 years and so far it's worked well. I'd say it's no better or no worse than most. I've occasionally thought that a little bigger version would be handy but it's been big enough most of the time.

If I needed to replace it, I'd be happy with anything that would run on AC or DC, had decent insulation, was reasonably priced, and was built around a compressor.

[FittsFly]

I too will be looking for a good option of fridge in the future. I'm assuming the thermo electric ones discussed maybe work on the same principal as the ammonia/propane models used in small campers for years? I used one for years in my small camper and loved it! The propane part of it was no more than a very small pilot light that would burn 24/7. Not that Im totally thrilled about bringing propane aboard has anyone seen any advances on those systems in the past years? I used mine back in the late 80's.