Add a livewell??

[woodee148]

Might be a bit of a stretch but one of the only things my new boat does not have is a livewell. Anyone ever convert one of their storage places to a livewell? I am not into drilling holes into my boat but I would like to see any pics of anyone else who has tried this

Woodee

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Add a livewell??

buy an identical cooler, and put and a pump kit in it. makes a great live well, and doesn't damage boat, just need to get 12 volts to it.

 

[woodee148]

Re: Add a livewell??

thanks td, I have a cigarette lighter on the dash, that should work? I am googling cooler livewells right now, they look kinda messy and bulky

thanks

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Add a livewell??

you have a Private message

 

[BigNiner19]

Re: Add a livewell??

I too am interested about this...how do you recirculate the water in a stand alone cooler livewell? Do you get a bilge pump and toss it over when you stop to flush new water in? Whats the best way to go about this?

Cory

 

[kevincoe]

Re: Add a livewell??

Woodee, I have installed an Aqua Jet wash down/livewell kit on my old 1976 Grady White Hatteras. This is a center console and has two 4 inch(approx) tubes that run to the back of the boat. I picked a spot on the rear left bottom, sanded away my old bottom paint, drilled my hole and installed a Perko Scoop Thru Hullcast bronze intake strainer. On the inside I attached it to a shut off valve. The system comes pretty complete otherwise. On top of the valve I mounted the first pump. It comes with two connection points. One for the baitwell and the other is for the washdown pump. I mounted the washdown pump under my console and bolted to the side wall. Hose bib is also mounted to side wall where I can hook up the hose that comes with the set. This pump is pretty good and I have no problem washing down the blood and bait from fishing. The other hose connects to the aerator that is installed on my cooler/seat that is part of the center console. I also mounted the two switches that control each pump. This project is not that difficult but you will need a day or two. Another set of hands is a big help! Also, don't forget to use a good sealant on the thru hull intake.! hope this helps.

 

[kevincoe]

Re: Add a livewell??

Bigniner, after several hours I usually pull the plug on my cooler, let the old water out and refill with fresh water. This is when the washdown comes in handi. My Grady is self bailing which is a plus in this situation. I am sure another portable could be placed in cooler and hosed out over the side. The livewell keeps my bunker alive for quite some time but after several hours of bloody snagged bunker, it needs to be drained.

 

[woodee148]

Re: Add a livewell??

thank you Kevin, you may be braver than me. Drilling holes in my new boat may take some time to get used to. I think I like the cooler idea, although i would like to refresh the water. my boat has a hose at the back for washing your feet and stuff. Maybe I will find some way to hook it up to my cooler with an aereator

 

[kevincoe]

Re: Add a livewell??

Woodee, can't say I blame u on a new boat! After a couple years u might change your mind? Good luck!

 

[John_S]

Re: Add a livewell??

"I too am interested about this...how do you recirculate the water in a stand alone cooler livewell? Do you get a bilge pump and toss it over when you stop to flush new water in? Whats the best way to go about this?"

The ones made for a cooler usually just draw water off the bottom and stream it in the top. Frabil and others make 12V bubble airators. While, I currently do not take a live-well with me, do use allot of minnows in the fall. Bubble airator works very well. I might do a partial water exchange, on a full day of fishing.

As far as converting a cooler, test how well the lid will be water tight. Many leak, and might need a thin tubing around edge to help seal. Guess who has tested some? All the ones in our basement leaked. Also, if there isn't a latch, large water movement may pop the lid open.

If exchanging water via pail is too much of a hassle, a bilge pump on a hose would work for pumping water in and out.Doesn't hurt to have another spare bilge pump around.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Add a livewell??

http://www.iboats.com/Attwood_V500_...4719764--**********.437509872--view_id.350854

 

[John_S]

Re: Add a livewell??

TD,

That?s the type I was talking about. Thanks for posting a pic to make it perfectly clear.

FWIW, I could not come up with a reason why this type of aerator would be better over a bubbler. Since there is no filtration, the only real function I could see is dissolving O2 via the streams. The bubblers are much more efficient at this, and require much less current draw. The one area I thought might be a possibility is the water movement within the live-well provides for better passage across the gills. Bubblers do provide a circler water flow, but not as aggressive as a pump.