Bass Fishing HomeBass Fishing Forums

Go Back   BassFishin.Com Forums > Serious Conversation Only > Bass Boats, Trailers & Setups

Reply
 
Thread Tools Rate Thread Display Modes
Old 12-31-07, 08:22 PM   #1
lunker-lander
BassFishin.Com Super Veteran
 
lunker-lander's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: SE Michigan
Posts: 1,628
Send a message via MSN to lunker-lander
Default Livewell For Small Craft

Hello again, Men. This time I've took a few pictures of our boat, and need some ideas/plans on putting in a 13-20 Gallon livewell. We have a small casting deck you'll see in the pictures, and we want to put the livewell under it. It is made of wood, and we are replacing it with a newer one this Winter, so we want to put a hatch in it for the livewell. It is a 14' Aluminum Sea Nymph, don't know the year, maybe late 80's? But I do need help on:

>Matrerials needed to make the livewell
>How to make it. I.e-Welding, riveting, etc.
>Estimated total cost

The Boat:


The Good 'Ole 5.5 Horse Johnson Sea Horse!


Cleanin' 'Er Up A Bit!


The Deck:


Thanks in advance,
-Lunk-
__________________
I don't see why schools are Public. If all schools were made Private, trespassers would be eliminated!
lunker-lander is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-01-08, 12:48 AM   #2
ran24
BassFishin.Com Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Franklin Indiana
Posts: 44
Default

This has nothing to do with your question .....but ....I saw your collection of cans on the wall. Was wondering if you were a BCCA member?
ran24 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-01-08, 02:13 AM   #3
lunker-lander
BassFishin.Com Super Veteran
 
lunker-lander's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: SE Michigan
Posts: 1,628
Send a message via MSN to lunker-lander
Default

No, not really, my dad just puts them up there from his college/high school days...

I really like the Miss Frothingschloss though. If you know them, you'll know what I mean.

-Lunk-
__________________
I don't see why schools are Public. If all schools were made Private, trespassers would be eliminated!
lunker-lander is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-01-08, 12:06 PM   #4
Rebbasser
BassFishin.Com Premier Elite
 
Rebbasser's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 10,141
Default

LL, I think your best bet would be to use a cooler. This:

http://www.iboats.com/Seachoice12v_A...-view_id.47399

Is a kit that will allow you to convert any cooler/ice chest to a live well. It is removable so if you don't want to take it you can but will do the job when you need it.
__________________
It's happened to the best of them: John 21:3
Rebbasser is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-01-08, 12:32 PM   #5
lunker-lander
BassFishin.Com Super Veteran
 
lunker-lander's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: SE Michigan
Posts: 1,628
Send a message via MSN to lunker-lander
Default

Thanks, Reb! I have one question though, is 600 GPH too slow? Should I be looking around 800 GPH? Also, about how big should I look for gallon wise for size of the livewell?

-Lunk-
__________________
I don't see why schools are Public. If all schools were made Private, trespassers would be eliminated!
lunker-lander is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-02-08, 02:50 PM   #6
Lilmoosecountry
BassFishin.Com Super Veteran
 
Lilmoosecountry's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Missouri
Posts: 1,322
Default

BPS has a plastic livewell that would fit in your boat. I saw it in the master fishing catalog
Lilmoosecountry is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-02-08, 04:02 PM   #7
lunker-lander
BassFishin.Com Super Veteran
 
lunker-lander's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: SE Michigan
Posts: 1,628
Send a message via MSN to lunker-lander
Default

Thanks, Lil. Can you or somebody else get me a link or URL?

-Lunk-
__________________
I don't see why schools are Public. If all schools were made Private, trespassers would be eliminated!
lunker-lander is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-02-08, 08:55 PM   #8
lunker-lander
BassFishin.Com Super Veteran
 
lunker-lander's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: SE Michigan
Posts: 1,628
Send a message via MSN to lunker-lander
Default

Well, it seems we're going to take a cooler and "transform" it into a livewell. I'm happy, as long as it performs in a tournament. The livewell is going to be placed where the tackle box is shown in the "Cleanin' "Er Up A Bit" picture.

What all will we need to rig a cooler into a livewell? I know you need a pump, and.... well.... that's about it(-). How many GPH pump would you reccommend? What size(gallon wise)cooler would you reccommend? Anybody have a picture of one that they've made?

-Lunk-
__________________
I don't see why schools are Public. If all schools were made Private, trespassers would be eliminated!
lunker-lander is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-02-08, 09:27 PM   #9
ran24
BassFishin.Com Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Franklin Indiana
Posts: 44
Default

Yeah I know which cans your talking about I think I have them all.....

Anyway sounds like your on your way to getting the live well in hope it works out good for ya
ran24 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-02-08, 10:12 PM   #10
lunker-lander
BassFishin.Com Super Veteran
 
lunker-lander's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: SE Michigan
Posts: 1,628
Send a message via MSN to lunker-lander
Default

Yeah, do you know what parts you need for a conversion?

-Lunk-
__________________
I don't see why schools are Public. If all schools were made Private, trespassers would be eliminated!
lunker-lander is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-02-08, 10:27 PM   #11
WTL
BassFishin.Com Premier Elite
 
WTL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Huntsville, Al
Posts: 7,466
Default

You are probably better off not putting the livewell under that front deck, its too much weight on that boat in the front. My other boat is very, very similar to yours. We do the cooler, and placing it where the tackle box is would prolly be the best bet.
__________________
Selling live waterdogs for less since 2005.
WTL is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-02-08, 10:47 PM   #12
lunker-lander
BassFishin.Com Super Veteran
 
lunker-lander's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: SE Michigan
Posts: 1,628
Send a message via MSN to lunker-lander
Default

Yeah, that's what we're going to do WTL. The spot under the front deck was too small anyway...

Do you know what parts I need to convert the cooler/livewell.

-Lunk-
__________________
I don't see why schools are Public. If all schools were made Private, trespassers would be eliminated!
lunker-lander is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-02-08, 10:54 PM   #13
ran24
BassFishin.Com Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Franklin Indiana
Posts: 44
Default

BPS has an Ice Chest Aerator in the 08 cat. on page 533 for $39.99 hope that helps.
also the item # is 21-579-417-00 if you want to look it up @ basspro.com
ran24 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-02-08, 11:11 PM   #14
WTL
BassFishin.Com Premier Elite
 
WTL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Huntsville, Al
Posts: 7,466
Default

Yes, BPS sells several kits that are all designed specifically for aeriating a cooler. It is very, very easy and inexpensive.
__________________
Selling live waterdogs for less since 2005.
WTL is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-02-08, 11:22 PM   #15
lunker-lander
BassFishin.Com Super Veteran
 
lunker-lander's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: SE Michigan
Posts: 1,628
Send a message via MSN to lunker-lander
Default

Gallon wise, what would you reccommend?

-Lunk-
__________________
I don't see why schools are Public. If all schools were made Private, trespassers would be eliminated!
lunker-lander is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-02-08, 11:30 PM   #16
WTL
BassFishin.Com Premier Elite
 
WTL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Huntsville, Al
Posts: 7,466
Default

What can fit comfortably in your boat is the question you should be asking.

Walmart sells several different sized coolers. The largest one might be too big, but the one under that, maybe I think its 33 gal, might be right. But you want something that will just be comfortable in the boat, that wont stick out. You can't put a big livewell in a boat like that. You gotta go with what fits with small boats.
__________________
Selling live waterdogs for less since 2005.
WTL is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-02-08, 11:33 PM   #17
lunker-lander
BassFishin.Com Super Veteran
 
lunker-lander's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: SE Michigan
Posts: 1,628
Send a message via MSN to lunker-lander
Default

I'm thinking that 25-28 gallons would be plenty. Look at some of them bad *** Bass Machines, most of them only have a 23.3 gallon, I know the NITRO's do anyway...

-Lunk-
__________________
I don't see why schools are Public. If all schools were made Private, trespassers would be eliminated!
lunker-lander is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-03-08, 09:22 AM   #18
Captmikestarrett
BassFishin.Com Super Veteran
 
Captmikestarrett's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Accokeek MD
Posts: 3,315
Default

Look for a cooler with a top you can step on. Place in the front of middle seat. If possible mount two door brackets and extend the front deck back to middle seat. Lift deck to put fish in live well/cooler.. Use support brackets on boat sides to help distribute weight on deck. I also used 2x4 to keep the cooler from moving..

I have converted a cooler in a simular boat (starcraft) and made it part of the front deck by bolting the cooler top to extended deck. Lift deck and it lifts lid of cooler.

The one thing that terrified me was the drill thru the hull for the livewell pump. Use lot's of 3M 5200 for that part. Drain out the side and your done. Since I was so worried about a leak I added a bildge pump of higher volume than the livewell pump in the back. More 3M 5200 to glue it down to floor.

Capt Mike
__________________
Capt Mike Starrett light tackle guide Potomac River
http://www.indianheadcharters.com
Captmikestarrett is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-03-08, 04:43 PM   #19
lunker-lander
BassFishin.Com Super Veteran
 
lunker-lander's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: SE Michigan
Posts: 1,628
Send a message via MSN to lunker-lander
Default

Thanks Mike. I am going to put the livewell in front of the middle seat. The deck is going to stay how it is, no extension, but we are going to carpet the new one. Where should I put the through-hull fitting? Should I put it right in the center of the boat? Also, my Dad doesn't want to go with the bilge pump, because it's another $50, is it really worth it?

-Lunk-
__________________
I don't see why schools are Public. If all schools were made Private, trespassers would be eliminated!
lunker-lander is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-03-08, 04:57 PM   #20
WTL
BassFishin.Com Premier Elite
 
WTL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Huntsville, Al
Posts: 7,466
Default

You can buy a rudimentary aeriation kit that doesnt require drilling a hole in the boat (so no bilge either). All it is is a pump with two wires and a hose going to a spay fitting, but they do work. The disadvantages would be the water quality would be more suspect and youd have to dip water to fill the livewell, but like I said its cheap and its easy.
__________________
Selling live waterdogs for less since 2005.
WTL is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-28-08, 11:48 AM   #21
Lilmoosecountry
BassFishin.Com Super Veteran
 
Lilmoosecountry's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Missouri
Posts: 1,322
Default

Here's your best bet.http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/st...=SearchResults
Lilmoosecountry is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Disclosure / Disclaimer
Before acting on the content posted, you should know that BassFishin.Com may benefit financially and otherwise from content, advertising, links or otherwise from anything you click on, read, or look at on our website. Click here to read our Disclosure Policy and Disclaimer.


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:52 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
© 2013 BassFishin.Com LLC