Newbie in over his head. HELP!!!

[thefairlaneman]

Re: Newbie in over his head. HELP!!!

Okay Oops I?ll be sure to do that. I plan to have it uncovered on Sunday so I?ll pop a top and start motor boatin!!!

make sure you do it so the wife can catch you,,,,,lol

 

[Spooner2010]

Re: Newbie in over his head. HELP!!!

Heres a Puzzle Piece?

I have a fitting (see attached image) that is located on the bottom of the boat near the bow right by the center rib ( I think it?s called the keel?) Anyway on the top side there is what appears to be a pump with a hose running out of it that is plugged attached to this fitting. My buddy says this is unheard of and doesn?t belong there. He suggests that we have it patched, sealed and bondo?ed. There is another fitting (don?t have a photo of that one, but will get one) on the port bow that is above the waterline (if I remember right). Again my buddy says it doesn?t belong and should be filled.

I can?t help but wonder if this was where the live well once was. The hole and pump in the bottom of the boat was to fill the live well and the hole on port was to drain it. Could this be possible or is this unheard of in the aluminum bass boat community?

Any suggestions as to what should be done with this or how it?s done in other boats would be greatly appreciated? Do I follow my friend?s advice and have them filled or do I hook my new live well up to it and work with what I have? Any thoughts?

 

[idonthaveaname]

Re: Newbie in over his head. HELP!!!

dunno for sure, but it looks like something for a live well. can you push water into it and maybe see where it goes? i have similar openings in my bass boat and they are for the live well. as far as sealing them? i have considered that. not a lot of use for live bait these days with all the plastics around. truth is, i have more luck with plastics than with live...and less smell and clean up. i also don't have to stop at the bait store or waste my time throwing a net. i will probably seal my openings, cut out the live wells and put in a cooler area so i have a place to store all those fish i am going to catch when i finish my project.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Newbie in over his head. HELP!!!

Very well could be from a Livewell. A better discription or more pictures would be helpfull.

 

[Hoggar]

Re: Newbie in over his head. HELP!!!

Spooner, If you take it out and have it patched get it welded properly.
don't use Bondo its not a boat product and will not hold up
in a boating environment.

No name,
Why don't you fix your live well and use it to keep your catch
alive until your ready to clean it. The pros do it in the tournaments.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Newbie in over his head. HELP!!!

You could use a cooler as a livewell rather than build one or buy one.

Build a new box to fit it in and throw in a pump/bubble maker and you're al set.

If I were you I'd give Lund/your local Lund dealer a call and see if they can help you out with old brochures or images of the Pikemaster from the factory.

There are a few iboats members that own the same rig that may have photos as well.

Sounds like a nice project, I'd be looking for a new outboard for the rig, you might be able to part out that West Bend online.

 

[idonthaveaname]

Re: Newbie in over his head. HELP!!!

No name, Why don't you fix your live well and use it to keep your catch alive until your ready to clean it. The pros do it in the tournaments.

Hoggar - I appreciate that, but the fish I catch are SO big they don't fit in the live well.

The truth is, because of the mercury content with freshwater fish, I rarely keep them. I can't remember the last time I kept one of those lunkers I've caught. Salt is a different story, but my current little lady is not made for ocean going.