Install Bait tank on Center Console - Help

[phiml]

Hi, all
I would like to know how your boat "plumbing" of a bait tank in front of the center console work. I want to install a 20 gal on my 18ft CC seapro to balance the boat out. I can run a input line from the existing pick-up/bait pump at the trans up to and thru the center console, and then "T" the overfolw line to the drain line out. Question - if all pluming are under the deck, Where/How I can run the overflow/drain to? what are my options? Can I put in a drain hole above water line on the side boat? Thank you for your input.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Install Bait tank on Center Console - Help

A drain line above the water line will only work if the bottom of the bait tank is above wherever you install the drain. In other words, water can't flow uphill. If you don't mind water in the bilge and have a fully functional bilge pump, you could allow the drain to dump to the bilge. Not recommended but certainly possible if that's your only option.

 

[1970 Chieftain V]

Re: Install Bait tank on Center Console - Help

The drain outlet doesn't have to be above the water line. However, the top of the tank must be above the water line or you can flood your boat. The con of this setup is the tank will not drain completely until you take the boat out of water.

Jason

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Install Bait tank on Center Console - Help

For that very reason I changed the live well drain on my walleye boat. Why run around with a live well or bait tank half full of water. If you actually have bait in it you obviously want water in it. What I did with mine was to install a pump in the drain line and ran the outlet of the pump over the transom. The livewell pump was used to fill the tank and at the dock I could pump it dry with the pump in the drain line. Works nicely. The Overflow for the livewell went out the side of the boat. Without that setup it was a pain to have the livewell half full of water and trying get fish out. They are a lot easier to remove if they can't swim.

 

[1970 Chieftain V]

Re: Install Bait tank on Center Console - Help

For that very reason I changed the live well drain on my walleye boat. Why run around with a live well or bait tank half full of water. If you actually have bait in it you obviously want water in it. What I did with mine was to install a pump in the drain line and ran the outlet of the pump over the transom. The livewell pump was used to fill the tank and at the dock I could pump it dry with the pump in the drain line. Works nicely. The Overflow for the livewell went out the side of the boat. Without that setup it was a pain to have the livewell half full of water and trying get fish out. They are a lot easier to remove if they can't swim.

Agreed. It is a pain. But if you plan your outlet well it can be drained on the way to the dock while the boat is on plane. Most of my freeboard is out of the water when I am on plane.

Jason

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Install Bait tank on Center Console - Help

That's true, but the minute you stop the tank begins to fill again. Or you need a second person with you to put the plug in the bottom of the tank to keep it from filling again -- also a pain. This topic is geared toward "bait wells" so it is not as much of a problem as it is with actual live wells.

 

[phiml]

Re: Install Bait tank on Center Console - Help

Thank you Silvertip and all of your inputs

My deck is above the waterline, Therefore only the plumping is under the waterline. The drain line is mounted under water in front of the boat with a one way valve inline, It should be enought to drain all water when boat on plane and the bow is up out of the water. if that doesn't empty it then a second pump will be added to the drain line to empty what ever left in the bait tank. Great ideal when all minds work together Thank you all.