Building a Live Baitwell

[Roadrager50]

AHOY!!
I don't know if this the right place to post this...But I am trying to build a Live Baitwell in my 1977 Thunderbird Tri-hull. I have a seat that runs all the way across the front of the engine cover,that is where I plan on building it. I am going to make it the same deminsions as the seat with the cover being anle to be sat on so I don't lose the seating capacity. Is there anybody who can steer me in the right direction??

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Building a Live Baitwell

Post up some pics so we can see what you're working with

 

[CTJeff]

Re: Building a Live Baitwell

You shoud visit some other boats and check out some that are in use. Ask the owners pros & cons. I believe the well itself should be round otherwise the bait tends to bunch up head first in a corner and die quickly. Maybe two or three smaller wells back there would work better. If its under a seat hidden, could possibly be made from a couple 3 or 5 gal buckets & lids. Use a small bilge pump over board. Now connect the buckets with hoses & fittings, drain at high point an done. Big boats can use a small garbage can (hard plastic) Lash it down on the swim platform or inside cockpit.
Jeff

 

[Roadrager50]

Re: Building a Live Baitwell

Okay Jeff the buckets won't work no room(too high). I am going to raise the seat up about three inches and move the front out about four inches,that should give enough room to put 15 gallon well in there. I am going to put it in the middle for stability reasons. I am also thinking of putting a scupper type of pickup through the bottom of the hull so I will have a good supply of fresh water no matter what. I would like to know if I could get a oval well premade and just epoxy it in and go from there.

 

[CTJeff]

Re: Building a Live Baitwell

Roady-
Be careful as below the waterline, especialy the bottom of hull has humongous water preassure. Think of the term displacement hull. I would really research this more. Go visit the docks and check out the other boats bait wells.
I had on an old inboard, I remember the head setup, It had a below water line feed it had a ball valve for safety connected to the hull. Then a hose to the pump which had to have some type of check valve. I know a friend who's bait well is seperate and in the rear quater of the boat so the fresh water only flows into the well and reaches or levels then came out at below the top. I don't remember a pump but maybe there was. I think that is what your goal should be. I did see that after market round or oval wells were quite pricey. I like your ideas so far just research it well my friend.
Good Luck, Jeff

"don't trick yourself being tricky"

 

[toolman99]

Re: Building a Live Baitwell

I'm using a bucket cooler I found at the recyclers for $5, just added through hull fitting on the bottom plumbed into the livewell drain and an adjustable flow areator plumbed into the livewell supply wih a second through hull fitting near the top as an overflow. Mine is under the splashwell with a 6" screw on access cover on top.
Given that yours will be going next to the engine compartment I think insulated would be a good idea

 

[rickryder]

Re: Building a Live Baitwell

As Wood said post some pics and we'll be glad to give ya some ideas! Welcome Aboard!