Homemade Livewell.

[Pony]

I wasn't really sure what forum to put this in, but here goes....

For awhile now I have been thinking about adding a livewell to my boat. I am not sure where I would even put it in there exactly, but there are a few places I have been thinking might work. I was thinking either inbetween the rear and middle benches running length wise on the port side, or directly next to the middle seat running maybe 1/2 to 3/4 of the length of the bench......on the bow side of that seat. My favorite spot so far is making it almost an extension of the deck up front, running along the stern side of that upward bench.

My neighbor runs a custom stainless steel shop, and I was thinking of having him make me the actual livewell that I could then place within a wooden frame and upohlster to match the floor and casting deck.

As far as plumbing goes, are there any advantages or disadvantages to any of these placements? I am just pondering this at the moment.....if it isnt feasable I just will wait to have this luxury on my next rig.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Homemade Livewell.

You'd be amazed what can be done with an old ice chest, a bucket to fill it with, and one of these.

 

[Pony]

Re: Homemade Livewell.

Not a bad Idea WBW, I do have a few old coolers around. I could make it nice and portable with something like that.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Homemade Livewell.

I think your front deck extension is a great idea...shouldn't need more than half that for a livewell, leaves the other side for more stowage. Obviously it'll change your weight & balance characteristics.

On plumbing...your fill pump will have to go through the transom - my boat just has plain ole garden hose from pump to livewell, I added a Y fitting to hook up the bait tank whenever I use that. you'll also need some kind of overflow drain - mine is just a hole in the side of the boat, a few inches above the waterline. You could think about just a return hose to the bilge area. I also have a pump-out pump in mine and a drain hole in the bottom of the boat - you'd need at least one or the other.