Anyone install a livewell in an SS?

[Kimmer64]

Hi All,

I just bought a 1976 SS 18, to replace my Lund Tyee 5.5. The tyee has a cracked center seam, and takes on water about as fast as my bilge pump can remove it.
I really like the SS so far, but I do miss the built in livewell from the tyee.
I was thinking of making the bow area into a fishing platform, and installing a livewell, and was wondering if anyone had done it before. If so, any info about where to get materials, plumbing, wiring etc. would be greatly appreciated.

Kimmer

 

[dozerII]

Re: Anyone install a livewell in an SS?

My 16SS had a factory one built in under the front casting deck, but it lealed and rotted almost the whole interior. I have opted to use a large cooler with an airetor. I boats sells pumps for live wells I believe. You can also buy standard size ones from both Basspro and Cabellas to install.
Glen

 

[motorpsykler]

Re: Anyone install a livewell in an SS?

I plan on installing one in mine. The current plan is actually to move the consoles back about a foot so I will have room to install a 48" livewell crosswise right in front of them. I need a big one because I want to be able to do a Musky tournament. You easily could fit a smaller bass or walleye sized well without moving the consoles. I'm still trying to figure whether I will make my own or source it from one of two places I know of.
http://www.fishmateprolivewells.com/
or
http://customlivewells.com/default.aspx

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Anyone install a livewell in an SS?

I plan on building and installing one in my big girl. How will I build it and where will it go? Yet to be determined. One thing I know, I don't have $400 to spend to have somebody else build one for me.

Cheers!

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Anyone install a livewell in an SS?

As much as I love livewells I am fighting the desire to buld my own. If the manufacturers can't even figure out how to build them leak-free, I'm not arrogant enought to think I can do any better.

In pounding waves the fittings always seems to break and let water in places where it can cause damage.

Huge cooler and air pump/ice for me You can always move the cooler if you need to and much easier to clean out afterwards. (I refuse to pay $400 for a livewell too).

 

[motorpsykler]

Re: Anyone install a livewell in an SS?

Here is how I am considering building my livewell. This guy on Ebay sells 1/2 thick PVC sheet. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350270421447

I emailed the seller, he says they cut it with a 40t saw blade, easy enough. I have a table saw with a panel cutter. I also asked if it could be solvent welded with the same PVC cement that plumbers use on schedule 40 PVC pipes. He said you absolutely can. Will the bond be strong enough to hold the water? Don't know, that's what I'm considering. I've used that cement a lot on my drains, and it really does seem to hold strong. Decisions, decisions.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Anyone install a livewell in an SS?

Here is how I am considering building my livewell. This guy on Ebay sells 1/2 thick PVC sheet. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350270421447

I emailed the seller, he says they cut it with a 40t saw blade, easy enough. I have a table saw with a panel cutter. I also asked if it could be solvent welded with the same PVC cement that plumbers use on schedule 40 PVC pipes. He said you absolutely can. Will the bond be strong enough to hold the water? Don't know, that's what I'm considering. I've used that cement a lot on my drains, and it really does seem to hold strong. Decisions, decisions.

Hey, that is a pretty cool idea!

I was sort of thinking box aluminum, aluma weld, 5200 sort of combo. Or even full on ply, fiberglass method.

What you have there has some real potential!

 

[cedarjunki]

Re: Anyone install a livewell in an SS?

As much as I love livewells I am fighting the desire to buld my own. If the manufacturers can't even figure out how to build them leak-free, I'm not arrogant enought to think I can do any better.


In pounding waves the fittings always seems to break and let water in places where it can cause damage.


Huge cooler and air pump/ice for me You can always move the cooler if you need to and much easier to clean out afterwards. (I refuse to pay $400 for a livewell too).

a cooler works very well! especially in an open floor and can be used as a seat too.

livewells shouldnt be in the bow of smaller boats that run in waves and get pounded anyways....just imagine you being the fish getting sloshed around and pounded up there.....they just get injured or die anyway.

manufacturers try to keep it as simple and as cheap as possible!

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Anyone install a livewell in an SS?

Or even full on ply, fiberglass method.

If I were to build any type of livewell I would absolutely glass in a plywood box, best way to make sure it's watertight. Good thinkin

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Anyone install a livewell in an SS?

If I were to build any type of livewell I would absolutely glass in a plywood box, best way to make sure it's watertight. Good thinkin

And...

I am thinking that I'd put it in here...

Helm seat with a cushion/cover/lid sort of deal behind it (just like the new Islanders have). Lift up the lid and there would be the live well. It would be full length so roughly 1.5' by about 4' by about 10" deep maybe?? Surly it would serve as dry storage too when I don't need keep live fish in there. Who am I kidding, I don't catch any fish!

 

[chamm63]

Re: Anyone install a livewell in an SS?

i was thinking about putting a livewell in my jupiter
im thinking about using something like a rubber made truck box or tool box .im sure there are plastic boxes of some sort out there that will work just fine ..just need to look around

chuck

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Anyone install a livewell in an SS?

i was thinking about putting a livewell in my jupiter
im thinking about using something like a rubber made truck box or tool box .im sure there are plastic boxes of some sort out there that will work just fine ..just need to look around

chuck

If I can get one just the right size I'd go that route. I am betting that I'll need to go custom though. I am not willing to give up even a sq. inch!

 

[cedarjunki]

Re: Anyone install a livewell in an SS?

i was thinking about putting a livewell in my jupiter
im thinking about using something like a rubber made truck box or tool box .im sure there are plastic boxes of some sort out there that will work just fine ..just need to look around

chuck

a cooler would work much better only because its insulated. unless you have constant fresh water circulation, thin walled truck box or rubbermaid containers, the water will get warm very fast. especially if its black like most truck boxes.
i have seen livewells made out of even a trash can. they do work but you have to really watch the water temps.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Anyone install a livewell in an SS?

a cooler would work much better only because its insulated. unless you have constant fresh water circulation, thin walled truck box or rubbermaid containers, the water will get warm very fast. especially if its black like most truck boxes.
i have seen livewells made out of even a trash can. they do work but you have to really watch the water temps.

I agree 100%...you can save an awful lot of juice by running the aerator intermittenty with an insulated well rather than all the time just to keep it cold.

I do remember...as a little kid my favorite thing to do was to watch a fish swim around in the livewell after I caught it, so I do want one since my two boys are the same

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Anyone install a livewell in an SS?

I do remember...as a little kid my favorite thing to do was to watch a fish swim around in the livewell after I caught it, so I do want one since my two boys are the same

Yah, that part will be huge for my offspring!

I also remember watching fish for hours in the bucket! (though it was probably only a few minutes, just seemed like hours) Thought that was the coolest thing. Probably a lot of learning happened doing that too.

 

[cedarjunki]

Re: Anyone install a livewell in an SS?

I agree 100%...you can save an awful lot of juice by running the aerator intermittenty with an insulated well rather than all the time just to keep it cold.

I do remember...as a little kid my favorite thing to do was to watch a fish swim around in the livewell after I caught it, so I do want one since my two boys are the same

what do you mean as a little kid???

i still do if its a nice fish

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Anyone install a livewell in an SS?

what do you mean as a little kid???

i still do if its a nice fish

Too right cedar, too right!

 

[Kimmer64]

Re: Anyone install a livewell in an SS?

Thanks for all of the input. I was thinking of a cooler or a plastic tote as well. But, after owning a boat with a dedicated livewell, I just don't know if I can go back.
It seems like, if you have something setting in your boat, it's just always in the way.
And I agree that I don't want to spend $400.00 or have something that will leak. That is why I want to do it myself, and do it right.
I live on the Missouri river, in central North Dakota. I shouldn't have to worry about fish getting pounded in the livewell. But my question about that is, if you are fishing in water so rough that a fish is getting beat up in your livewell, where would they be safe?

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Anyone install a livewell in an SS?

what do you mean as a little kid???

i still do if its a nice fish

Me too!

But my question about that is, if you are fishing in water so rough that a fish is getting beat up in your livewell, where would they be safe?

On ice

 

[paparoof]

Re: Anyone install a livewell in an SS?

On ice

Exactly what I was gonna say. Just don't wait till you get back to the dock to take your pictures - the skin gets all pasty lookin from layin' on the ice.