Cooler, live well, rear seat... looking for suggestions.

Going to Kentucky Lake soon with a group of guys - The Dover Boys. We have been trekking from the St. Louis area to Kentucky for the last 50 years. I am third generation Dover Boy! We have a fishing tournament - Bass throughout the week - but we also have a fish fry one night...if we don't catch enough Blue Gill, Crappie and Cats we don't eat. Anyway, would love to buy the Livewell XL to keep my catch, but it is down on the list in priorities. For now I was thinking of a cooler, converted to also use as a Livewell, but also add a seat top to it for one of the kids to ride along, or just behind the seat as a little higher perch than the Hobie Seat. If I could afford a Yeti or Orion, I would buy one, but looking for an inexpensive alternatives that would fit well just behind the seat, and at the same time match or compliment my Olive PA 14. Anyone have a suggestion? Right now I am drawn to the Engel cooler/dry box in 30qt range. But I have not seen one in person and would likely have to buy online. Also not sure how insulated it is. What are you all using?

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STLKayak
2020 Pro Angler 14 360
St. Louis, Missouri
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005695487937

i think i have settled on an Orion 35qt Cooler in Jungle Camo. I cannot believe that I am even considering a $400 cooler, but it is priced right in line with Yeti, Orca, Grizzly and all the other roto-molded coolers. Also, I had a Jackson Cuda in the same camo color, and I can attest to the toughness of their Kayaks, so i figure this cooler will be top notch. Also, i just like the standard features such as the standing/sitting pad, bottle openers, tie down points and gear tracks - that are major bucks to add to the others. And the Jungle Camo is slick and different and should look pretty great in my Olive PA 14. I would love to go with the 45qt, but my measuring tape says that is a no go.

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STLKayak
2020 Pro Angler 14 360
St. Louis, Missouri
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005695487937

i received my new cooler - Orion 45 quart. I was not sure that it would fit, but the folks at Austin Kayak were good enough to dry fit one in a PA on the store floor...and deliver it for free in two days! It is one hell of a nice piece of plastic, and fit the rear tank pretty well. I plan on using it as a drink and catch cooler. Also, as a sitting pad when I am poling or paddling in shallows. It is rock solid, so I am sure I could stand on it if I we so inclined, but I am not...

I have to figure out a clean way to strap it down, but that will come to me in time. I am not thrilled with the color, but I am looking at adding SeaDeck in the future, maybe Camo, or a brown/olive combo that I think will help tie the color of the cooler in better with the kayak. (But that is just me being knit picky). Will update how well it works out...and holds ice and maybe some fish...after this weekend.





The Town Car in the background belongs to my father. He is the only person I have ever met that pulls a Ranger bass boat with a Lincoln Town Car! I definitely know where I get my idiosyncrasies.

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STLKayak
2020 Pro Angler 14 360
St. Louis, Missouri
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005695487937