Add fish box to boat? prebuilt?

[M3Spinner]

I am thinking about adding a fish box to an alum 19' I/O Blue Fin.

Are there pre-made inserts, that I can then just fab. up the enclosure, drain line, or am I looking at making the entire thing from scratch?

This would be in a plywood deck, most likely raised, to allow the gravity to drain the box.

Is a thru hull drain best, or drain into the bilge, and empty w/ drain plug/bildge pump? What is the best method for a thru hull drain?

Thanks for any insights.
Spinner

 

[bassboy1]

Re: Add fish box to boat? prebuilt?

You can get aftermarket livewells. But, I wouldn't advise getting an aluminum one though. Quite a few folks say they have lost more fish in a 'loominum one, over any other one. For the plumbing, you need a livewell pump at the transom, with a hose leading to the top of the well, and usually up to a sprayer bar. Then, you need a drain hose on the bottom, with a plug, heading out to the transom. Then, a larger diameter overflow drain hose at the top. To circulate, turn on the pump, and it pumps fresh water in, and overflow water drains out the top drain hose. When finished, and on the trailer, pull the plug, and it will drain out the back. If you plan on going real long runs, longer than you would want to leave the fish without circulated water, or using the livewell to hold fish while on the trailer, you will need a circulation pump, as the transom pump is high and dry on plane. I will not go in depth on that though.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Add fish box to boat? prebuilt?

If your talking FISH BOX to put your catch in then I would suggest no drain but make the entire box removeable. If you drain into the bilge your entire boat will smell like dead rotten fish. If you drain overboard then your will not be able to remove the box to carry fish in and wash.

If you are talking LIVE BAIT WELL or LIVE FISH WELL then then drain over board. I agree with Bass Boy.

 

[M3Spinner]

Re: Add fish box to boat? prebuilt?

Thanks,

Yes I am talking about a box for my catch, not a live well. To keep them on ice. It might be easier to get an ice chest for this but...

I was thinking about adding a drain (with plug) to the exterior to drain the melted ice, so I am not sloshing it around, or when time to take the fish in. Similar idea to an ice chest. I like the removable thought, but would definitely want a drain as not to lift 50 # of water, and (hopefully) 50# of fish.

Thanks,
Spinner

 

[Boatist]

Re: Add fish box to boat? prebuilt?

Fish Box - You do not want to drain into the bilge. Trust me the blood and other maters that will drain will cause the entire boat to smell forever.

Out here most people use the large white Marine Ice Chests. They all have drains and most you can hook up a garden hose to. Most will just put on the floor and can be used for a seat. Others strap to the swim platform. My boat has a in floor fish locker made of aluminum. It will hold about 6 Salmon up to 50 pounds each. Never tried to lift it out full of fish. Instead take fish out one or two at a time until down to 2 or 3 fish.

However most of the time I use a square 33 Gallon Garbage straped to the front of my I/O engine cover. When get to shore just lift the can out at the fish cleaning station. Usually do after cleaning the boat and trailer at the boat wash station but when have many adults will drop off the fish box and a cleaner or two and a packer at the fish cleaning station then go on to the boat wash station.

 

[Fish n Geer]

Re: Add fish box to boat? prebuilt?

I know when my boat gets done my "fish box" will be a cooler! The "fish box"will be storage!