Home built live well

[brokenwrist]

I thought I would try this section first. My boat was designed as a runabout and as such, wasn't built with any kind of live well. I have since essentially converted it to a runabout/fishing boat, and would like a live well a little better than a cooler. My dad suggested building a bench seat at the rear of my boat since that's where the electric trolling motor is. So I thought, why not make the base of the seat the live well tank, complete with aerator pump? I figured on using ACX plywood, but should I fully glass the inside, or just soak the wood with epoxy and then paint it? The seams would be a simple butt joint, sealed with a nice bead of silicone, and the inside corners filleted. Outside doesn't really matter, I can prime and paint, and do some nice vinyl for the seat. Let's hear some honest opinions and recommendations.

 

[hemi rt]

don't seal the butt joints with silicone as Epoxy/resin will not stick to the silicone. Get some micro ballons, mix into epoxy/resin and put in the joints then smooth to a rounded contour then epoxy/resin the inside with at least 3 coats. how are you going to aerate it. Also depending on the size you may be putting to much weight on the stern.

 

[MH Hawker]

i made my own but made the tank out of stainless steel

 

[Scott Danforth]

your not only going to want to fully glass the inside, your going to want to gel it as well.

 

[fhhuber]

I would consider a cooler or plastic storage tub as a liner for the livewell. Go ahead and box it in to hide it if desired, but its hard to beat having a tub that is already watertight as a starting point.

The bass boat I just sold had a livewell that was essentially a heavy walled plastic tub from the factory.