Livewell Installation Questions

[Jeep Man]

I'm in the planning stage for a rebuild of a 14.5 ft. tinny. Boat is 66" wide so I'm making it a center console, with a forward casting deck and a livewell. The old deck is out and I want to run all the wiring and plumbing before putting the new deck down. I'm going to locate the livewell in the casting deck or under the forward seat in front of the console. Where should I run the pipes? I understand the drain has to be low on the outside. Can I plumb it out through the transom or is there a better place? Whats the best location for the intake line? Should I run 1/2"or 3/4" lines? What is the best location for the pump? I've looked at several set-ups online and they appear to vary greatly. Appreciate any advice.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Livewell Installation Questions

My intake comes in through the transom, and that's where the pump is.

I have 3 drains, 2 overflow thru hull above the water line and 1 main drain thru hull below the water line.

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: Livewell Installation Questions

Thanks Jig. Why 3 drains, not 2, and where in the hull is the main drain?

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Livewell Installation Questions

The main drain is directly below the livewell, and the livewell is located in my front casting deck.

It's 3 drains because the 2 overflow drains on port and starboard sides of the livewell have thier own hose and thru-hull on their respective sides of the boat, water only flows out of them when the boat rolls from side to side or a cantankerous fish decides to lay on top of the standpipe when the pump is going.

 

[Sleeper-6]

Re: Livewell Installation Questions

I placed my intake and overflow drain side by side in the lowest portion of the transom.

I used a Flo-rite valve that manages the intake and main drain functions. So depending on what the valve is set at, the intake line also functions as the drain. I tried to keep the inlet a low in the water as possible. The cooler water you can get to the livewell the better off you are.

My overflow is just that, it'a a direct line from the highest desired water level in the well directly to the transom. Mine exits under water so I didn't have to hear a constant trickle from the live well on a quiet lake. Really personal preference I guess, as long as the outlet os lower than the inlet. I did size it larger than the intake plumbing since it's gravity only, I wanted to make sure it can outflow the supply side to avoid any overflow problems.

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: Livewell Installation Questions

Good info. Thanks guys. Jig, I've seen photos of the pump on the inside of the transom, and on the outside. What's more preferable?