need help with installing live well

  • Shane Hildebrandt
    Blaine, mn
    Posts: 2921
    March 16, 2004 at 11:20 pm #1232599

    hey guys,

    I would love to get some pointers on installing a live well into my boat. I am hoping that someone on this great board has installed one and give me a few pointers. I am hoping to get one put in this spring. I looked at wallmart and found them kits, do they work, or should i have someone install the livewell for me.

    thanks for the help

    shane

    huskyjerk
    Swea City, Iowa
    Posts: 451
    March 17, 2004 at 2:34 am #297079

    Hey Shane

    I did that exact thing a couple years ago. I used one of “them” kits–Mayfair–I bought the tank from CABELAS. The only problem I had with the kit was the switch for the pump!! Everything worked out pretty well. It worked best for me to just drain into the bottom of boat and pump it out with the bilge. Any extra you can do to keep the hoses out of the way and off the floor will be well worth it. I’m sure you can agree.

    Don’t know if I helped at all–If I did or you need more send me a PM

    Marc

    Gianni
    Cedar Rapids, IA
    Posts: 2063
    March 17, 2004 at 3:56 am #297027

    Running it into the bottom of the boat and pumping it out with the bilge doesn’t sound like that great of an idea to me. Just not sure I’d want all that fish slime rotting in the bottom of the boat on 90° days all summer.

    Mine (factory) has two pumps… one fills from the outside on a thru-hull connector, the other is a submersible inside the well that drains it. It does a pretty good job, and after I empty it I run a 5 gallon bucket of tapwater through it and that’s enough to keep it from stinking/plugging the pump. If I were to install one, I would consider this setup because there wouldn’t be any underwater fittings inside the livewell that you’d have to worry about sealing. Also, the drain pump has a T with two valves so that it can be used as an aerator/recirc (even when the boat is on the trailer on the way home, which is pretty slick).

    If it’s as nice this weekend as it’s supposed to be, I may uncover it and put the troller on. If I remember I’ll take a picture.

    Whiskerkev
    Madison
    Posts: 3835
    March 17, 2004 at 9:36 pm #297250

    I had a similar problem in my small jon boat. I bought a cooler and a bilge pump. Hooks up right to my battery. 23 dollars later I had livewell that is portable.

    Mike W
    MN/Anoka/Ham lake
    Posts: 13300
    March 18, 2004 at 2:43 am #297279

    Large cooler and a pump sounds like a easy install. Have you looked at the TOHO live wells. They are a little spendy compaired to a cooler but it looks pretty slick.
    http://www.aquaworld-products.com/products.html
    This should take you to some info on them.

    Shane Hildebrandt
    Blaine, mn
    Posts: 2921
    March 20, 2004 at 5:31 am #297555

    hey guys,

    thanks for all of great ideas. gave me alot to think about. I will have to let you know what i decide.

    thanks a ton

    shane

    Shane Hildebrandt
    Blaine, mn
    Posts: 2921
    March 25, 2004 at 4:27 am #298191

    well everyone,

    I have decided to get a 100 qt cooler and a little airator that will cycle up to 25 gallons of water. then put that in the bottom of the cooler and then hook it to a 12v battery with clips. then just use a bilge pump to put new water in and out of the cooler. I think i will try my theory this weekend when i get my boat picked up and cleaned up.

    thanks for all of the input everyone

    shane

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