Insulating livewell, need ideas

[fishrdan]

I have a big livewell (about 12x12x48") that I need to insulate and looking for ideas. Pour or spray foam would probably be best, but I don't want to glue it into the boat. I'm looking for ideas of what I can pack around it so air won't circulate and heat it up. I've thought of pillow batting, but not sure how that would work since it's pretty loose. About the best I can think of is packing peanuts placed in a bag or pillow case.

The area's I need to fill are a 2x12x48 slot that is hard to get into because of an aluminum flange and then 2- 12x12x12 areas.

I fill the livewell with 80# of ice, then add water at the lake to make a ice slurry, keeps the fish in nice condition.

Any other ideas?

 

[redfury]

Re: Insulating livewell, need ideas

I have a big livewell (about 12x12x48") that I need to insulate and looking for ideas. Pour or spray foam would probably be best, but I don't want to glue it into the boat. I'm looking for ideas of what I can pack around it so air won't circulate and heat it up. I've thought of pillow batting, but not sure how that would work since it's pretty loose. About the best I can think of is packing peanuts placed in a bag or pillow case.

The area's I need to fill are a 2x12x48 slot that is hard to get into because of an aluminum flange and then 2- 12x12x12 areas.

I fill the livewell with 80# of ice, then add water at the lake to make a ice slurry, keeps the fish in nice condition.

Any other ideas?

If water can get to the outside of this area, then you don't want to put anything in there that can hold water if it gets wet.

Insulation is simply the idea that the substrate can hold air as a barrier, which is made out of a material that doesn't transmit heat well. the more suspended air the better. NASA created a super light foam that, if you insulated your house with it, you could literally keep it warm with a candle....a little too expensive for home use though.

Fiberglass insulation would work as long as you can keep it dry, and not packed in to tightly. Any areas that get compressed lose their insulating properties. So, it's going to really depend on two factors. 1. How easy it it to get anything around that box, and 2. what are the odds of it getting soaked with water and causing future problems.

I'm of the mindset to look at things for the longer term as any temporary solution tends to be a permanent fix with me. I belong to the "do it right the first time" club ...even if I'm hesitant about it at times.

 

[westexasrepublic]

Re: Insulating livewell, need ideas

my boats livewell came with spray foam. looks like they just sprayed it on about 1"1/2 thick all the way around.

 

[WOWfactor]

Re: Insulating livewell, need ideas

Just buy a set of V-T2's and your hot weather problems will be eliminated. www.livewellfishcare.com

Insulating the livewell will just hold more heat. I have been using the V-T2's for 2 years and I never have a problem with my fish anymore.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Insulating livewell, need ideas

Just buy a set of V-T2's and your hot weather problems will be eliminated. www.livewellfishcare.com

Insulating the livewell will just hold more heat. I have been using the V-T2's for 2 years and I never have a problem with my fish anymore.

I highly doubt those V-T2's would do anything for water temps in the mid 80's and air temps 90-110*. Pluck a fish from 40' down where the water is 60-70*, throw them in a livewell full of 85* water and they will go belly up, the meat will be fried by the time you get to fillet them.

In case anyone finds this thread in the archives. I insulated my livewell with 1" foam all the way around, including the lid, it will keep ice all day long in the summer 100+* temps. You just have to pack the livewell with ice, then add warm lake water, it makes a nice ice slurry. The fish come out nice and chilly, ready to be filleted.

 

[Fisherball]

Re: Insulating livewell, need ideas

Styrofoam building board is your easiest method with good R value. It comes in 1", 1 1/2" & 2" thickness. The thicker the better. A friend built an insulated box out of 2 x 12's with 2" foam against the wood & sheet metal lined. He added a metal pocket he made to slip a gallon sized zip lock bag he filled with water & laid on it's side in freezer. He would load a week's worth of lunch groceries on Monday morning & the ice would stay frozen till he got home from work on Friday in 90* + July days.

 

[R Socey]

Re: Insulating livewell, need ideas

Mine is part of the console with an air gap that I filled with spray foam - I epoxied a piece of styrofoam to the bottom, and I will do
the same to the lid. I completely sealed the styrofoam with epoxi.
My concern was that when I caught a bunch of Spot in the main stem of the bay, then came in to the creek marina for a respite
inbetween tides - they would stay alive. The creek water is much warmer - I hope it works.