What is involved in removing center live well from 2017 tracker panfish 16?

[Ram48]

I need the room more than I need the live well. Does anything have to be sealed off after removal. I plan on taking the fuse out of the live well switch so it will not operate.

 

[gm280]

First things first!

Welcome to iboats. We always like to have a new member...

Not familiar with your boat and/or how it is setup, so post a picture or three for us to see what you are dealing with. If you have plans to completely remove it, then YES, there are things that will need sealed off. Mainly the holes where it attached to the hull for one. The electrical and pluming should be easy to remove by just tracing the wires to where they go and take them out. Same with the pluming pipes. Just be sure when you remove the pluming that you block off and water getting in.
So post a couple pictures for us to offer better ideas...

 

[Texasmark]

Is the live well a structural member? What if you seal off the inputs and use it for storage? I have 2 on my current boat, did that and wound up with them full of needed boating accessories. That will give you some additional room.

 

[Scott Danforth]

most trackers are intended to go together once, be slapped on its backside to send it down the road. it may not be easy to remove the livewell, however it can be used as a cooler, or storage bin

 

[roscoe]

Yes, looks like a very cramped layout.

It is not structural.


Unscrew the tank from the floor.
Clip the wires, remove the fuse.
Disconnect the fill and drain tubes, plug and seal them with 3M 4200 sealant -- NOT silicone.
Sealing the other end, where they exit the hull is a good idea as well.
You will not be able to remove all the plumbing from beneath the floor as they used injected flotation foam under there.

 

[Ram48]

thanks for all the input guys! I think Roscoe and I are on the same page. I am also looking at the idea of moving the back seat back. Going to check with my fishing partner of 57 years and see what he thinks. I will post what I decide and how it turns out. Thanks again!

 

[gm280]

thanks for all the input guys! I think Roscoe and I are on the same page. I am also looking at the idea of moving the back seat back. Going to check with my fishing partner of 57 years and see what he thinks. I will post what I decide and how it turns out. Thanks again!View attachment 328903View attachment 328903

WOW, your boat has the EXACT same layout that I built my boat to. And I mean exact too!. I wanted that center live well/seat area so if a grand-kid goes along, he can sit in that center area. Sure will I could have known this a few years ago. I could have taken that center live well off your hands and installed it in my boat. I had to completely build my live well from scratch.

 

[JimS123]

In addition to the other good comments, after removal you may need to install a board or something on the deck where the livewell used to be. There probably will be some holes there, plus you don't know how far the carpet goes.

 

[Ram48]

In addition to the other good comments, after removal you may need to install a board or something on the deck where the livewell used to be. There probably will be some holes there, plus you don't know how far the carpet goes.

I am hoping there is carpet under the live well. After installing a new Lowrance up front on my trolling motor I decided I need more room for my size 14 feet. If I am by myself fishing it does ok. LOL

 

[ArturNoubel]

Hi guys,
Found a lot of useful information, glad to join your community.

 

[Ram48]

thanks for all the input guys! I think Roscoe and I are on the same page. I am also looking at the idea of moving the back seat back. Going to check with my fishing partner of 57 years and see what he thinks. I will post what I decide and how it turns out. Thanks again!View attachment 328903View attachment 328903

Got it removed and fixed

 

[Old Ironmaker]

I knew you could do it. What a perfect example of a picture is worth far more than a thousand words in your case. My live wells are built in not on the floor. I use 2 for storage and 2 as coolers. I/we never use livewells for the purpose they are intended for. It tends to poach fish especially when water temps are in the high 70's low 80's. I fill large pop bottles with water and freeze them. The fish go under the ice filled bottles. It's usually catch and eat for 90% of our fishing here on Lake Erie.

 

[BWR1953]

Got it removed and fixed

Nice work!

 

[BWR1953]

I knew you could do it. What a perfect example of a picture is worth far more than a thousand words in your case. My live wells are built in not on the floor. I use 2 for storage and 2 as coolers. I/we never use livewells for the purpose they are intended for. It tends to poach fish especially when water temps are in the high 70's low 80's. I fill large pop bottles with water and freeze them. The fish go under the ice filled bottles. It's usually catch and eat for 90% of our fishing here on Lake Erie.

Mmmmm.... poached fish!

 

[Ram48]

Thanks guys! It gives me and my fishing partner much more room to move around. We are members of the senior crowd ( best friends from high school class of 1966). Still doing what we love to do!

 

[Old Ironmaker]

Do these boat designers not realize many of US fisherpersons are seniors. Things sticking up are tripping hazards for goodness sakes. I can trip on a nickel on the sidewalk, usually trying to pick it up.

 

[JimS123]

I trip over tackle boxes, fishing rods, PFD's, etc., etc. Not just because I'm in my 70's; I always was klutzy....LOL. The Livewell in my current fishing boat was an option. Never put a fish in it, but it's an awesome seat and it holds an abundant amount of "stuff" that won't be tripped over. Well worth the $1100 extra cost.

 

[Ram48]

Do these boat designers not realize many of US fisherpersons are seniors. Things sticking up are tripping hazards for goodness sakes. I can trip on a nickel on the sidewalk, usually trying to pick it up.

I know what you mean! The ole balance is not what it used to be!