fitting my 89 rinker with live wells

[vinnimon]

I have an 89 rinker bowrider, and i would to put a livewell or two in front,in the storage compartments,can this be done without affecting the structer of the boat,Ive been using an old cooler,and its in the way. Any input would be great. thanks

 

[Silvertip]

Re: fitting my 89 rinker with live wells

How much work it is and how much, if any, cutting/fitting you need to do depends on how the boat is constructed. If the bow seat cushions are removable and there is a cooler or storage area under there, then yes, you can add the live well to either or both sides. It is easiest if there are coolers or liners under there. You need a drain line to the back of the boat that goes through a through-hull fitting. That fitting must be below the bottom of the live well or it won't drain. You need a livewell pump at the stern (mounted as a through-hull fixture). It must be below the water line as it needs to suck water and pump it up front to the live well. You need a spray head (aerator head) in the live well which gets its water from the pump. You need an overflow for the live well. There are two ways to do this. One is a standpipe that sits in the drain of the livewell. The other is a separate fitting at the top of the tank that carries overflow either out the side of the boat through a through hull fitting (again the fitting must be below the high water point in the live well. The other way is plumb that overflow fitting into a "T" in the drain line. If you don't know what a stand pipe is, take the lid off your toilet tank. The pipe you see is a standpipe. When water gets to the height of the pipe it simply runs over and goes down the drain. You don't need the through the side overflow with this system.

 

[vinnimon]

Re: fitting my 89 rinker with live wells

thank you for your input, it was very helpfull, I didnt consider the water line.v

 

[Les Robb]

Re: fitting my 89 rinker with live wells

With all the nooks and crannies of forward storage area's, and the additional weight in the bow, I would consider this a less than ideal idea. A small portable round tank in the bow or better yet if you have room a larger one in the cockpit area. Do you fish alone or with a number of friends. I would even consider removing a seat to make room for a livewell and using it as a jump seat. It's tough to keep bait alive under any circumstances and round with plenty of aeration and fresh water input is your best bet.

Best of luck in your modification

 

[vinnimon]

Re: fitting my 89 rinker with live wells

thanks for your input, considering all things to keep in mind, ill probably go with a rubber maid in the **** pit,I can run a pump,aerator and a return line with check valves, It can also substitute as a secondary emergency bilge pump if nesc. good fishing and cheers, vinnimon