OK to move consoles back on my SS?

[motorpsykler]

If you've seen my resto-thread, you know I am redoing my 16ft SS. I'm working mostly on the trailer now, but I'm thinking ahead. I really want to put a 48" live well in the boat, I want to be able to do an occasional muskie tournament. I'm planning on a fishdeck in the bow, same height as the benches. I would like to put the livewell crosswise in the aft portion of the deck. Trouble is, I don't quite have enough room widthwise. If I slide the consoles/windshields back about 10", it'll fit. Is there a safety/performance reason that I shouldn't do this?

 

[Bwana Don]

Re: OK to move consoles back on my SS?

I don't know if it will affect the ride of the boat or not. I can't imagine it would though.

Is 48" big enough? I also want to put in a Muskie revival tank and was thinking more like 55", or 60" if I could fit it in. I though putting it in lengthwise, never even considered crosswise. You thinking of going below floor or in front of the "casting" deck?

Lots of guys on Lake St. Clair have them, I'll see what they look like. A guy around the Lake here makes them. His business is FishThanks.

I look forward to watching this evolve. It will help me when I get to that point.

Good Luck!

Don

 

[motorpsykler]

Re: OK to move consoles back on my SS?

Yeah, a bigger one would be cool, but 48" is pushing it. The Wisconsin Muskie Tour requires a minimum of a 45" livewell, so that's what I am going by. I was thinking of putting it crosswise, just in front of the consoles, level with the front deck. How would you put it the long way, off to one side in the rear? I thought of that but thought it might make the boat list to one side when full. Is there a way to contact FishThanks? I did an internet search and couldn't find anything. I was going to go with Fishmatepro.

 

[Bwana Don]

Re: OK to move consoles back on my SS?

http://www.lakestclair.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=78042

My fishing forum here in Detroit. I don't think you can see pics but you can read the responses.

Thanks for the original post. I have been thinking about this (muskie tank) since I got my boat. I'm going Muskie, you know what they say. Once you go Muskie..........

 

[fshngho]

Re: OK to move consoles back on my SS?

Guys, I must confess I have no need for a livewell that big here, (wish I did though) just largemouth bass and no comparison to muskies. I do know this, water is heavy, around 7 lbs per gal, and it moves. Moving just a little weight around on a boat does affect the ride, planing, ect. I would suggest researching similiar boats to see their setup because they have people study these things. What ever you decide, keep in mind where the water in the livewell will go when starting, stopping and turning. Keep the center of gravity low and the lids as small as possible. And post pics, because I am going to need your advice because I will need to do the same for catfish and stripers on my SC.
Dale

 

[motorpsykler]

Re: OK to move consoles back on my SS?

I'm going Muskie, you know what th...think a 60" might be too much for my 16ft SS.

 

[Bwana Don]

Re: OK to move consoles back on my SS?

My muskie guys tell me this tank is good for 16 foot boats on up. 56" x 10
' x 12" = 1728 inches cubed

1 gallon of water = 231 inches cubed = 8 pounds

Therefore this tank full of water = (6720/231)*8 = 233 lbs

56 * 10 * 12 should have read 6720 inches cubed NOT 1728

The 233 pounds I believe is correct however.

 

[Bwana Don]

Re: OK to move consoles back on my SS?

If you follow my thread in lakestclair.net, the guys talk about placement of the tank. They also said it's good for a 16' boat.

I can repost the pictures if want motor, I don't think you can view them unless you're a member of that website. Let me know if there is anything else. Those guys that answered my post are HARD core muskie guys. They catch a lot of big muskie, look at the youtube link below. All guys from this site.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqPTqaqxdd0

Good luck motor, if you need anything else holler.