Re: any auqaworld baitank users
thanks alot andy. dont seem like alot of people use this bait tank. one other thing im curious about. do you just let the pump run the whole time your on the water? when i go out im usually out 3-8 hrs. im considering on trying to put a timer on it. but if it dont totally kill the battery im not going to bother.
I responded to your PM, but I figure I'll post here so others can see as well. I run the pump straight for about 4-6 hours. I am also running my GPS, depthfinder, VHF, and stereo during this time. I have two batteries onboard-a starting battery and a deep cell with a battery switch. I run all electronics on the deep cell while the engine is connected to the starting battery. I make sure both are fully charged before embarking, and leave the battery switch on the starting battery on the way out and then switch it over to the deep cell once I'm out on the water to let it recharge every time I run the engine at high RPM's. I have never had the battery go even nearly dead on me. I have a warning indicator on my depthfinder and VHF if my battery goes low, and neither have ever gone off. Worst case scenario I could connect my electronics to the starting batter if the deep cell went dead and just get right back into port. I have never run the baitwell at night with nav lights and deck lights so I can't give an accurate indicator on running times at night.
There are 2 "negatives" with it in my opinion. First, it's large and takes up alot of deckspace. I have a 21' Wellcraft V20, so deck space is at a premium. I wish it was just a little smaller, but you can buy smaller sizes. Second is the drainplug drains right out on the deck. It does get down into my bilge, but I still don't love the idea of all that water running over the deck or sitting in my bilge on my trip back in. I usually pull the drain cap when I am 10 minutes from the dock and then pull my drain plug once the boat is on the trailer at the ramp. You could run a hose from the drain straight to your bilge so it doesn't drain onto your deck, or you could probably run a drain line right through the hull if your deck is higher than the water line outside of the boat. I just have a healthy fear of putting any holes through my hull.
Good luck and tight lines!!
