I am thinking about building a live well. I have seen the the tubs and coolers ,But I would like to make it permanent.I can place it just about any where in my boat.I welcome any thoughts or experience.Thanks.
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Building a live well
- Thread starter Vader809
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huntinfool
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There are several threads on here about them. First off, what materials do you want to make it out of? Size? Do you want to to have an overflow with a timer? There is nothing that says you can't make a tub or cooler permanent. In the case of a tub or cooler, heat and UV rays will be your enemy. Also, I would guess bitter cold too, though we don't really have that problem here.
A tub or cooler,I don't think will stand up to the weather conditions here.I was thinking of wood lined with fiberglass inside.I don't need a huge live well.Maybe 24" long x12" wide and 12" deep.If there are other materials I am open to alternatives.I don't have access to a welder, I wish I did.
[url=https://www.tinboats.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=336582#p336582 said:
Mine is permanently mounted under the decks of my boat which gets used year around. I keep it empty and use it for additional storage during duck season, and as a bait well the other 9 months of the year.
Had boats previously with permanent live wells. One was dual aerated wells. Pump in, pump out, recirc, etc. On timers too.
a few things about permanent livewells. One they need to be cleaned fairly often. Two, they need to be able to plugged so you can use them for dry storage. Three, if you plumb pumps, use the correct hoses. Lots of people use garden hose and over time it gets hard & cracks. Sometimes you don't know until it's been turned on for a while and then you realize that the boat is filling up with water. Or if the drain/pump out, recirc leaks, it can leak water that way too.
I went back to a jon boat, open floor, with a cooler for a livewell. If I am using catch/release, I'll take it out and leave it in the garage. If I plan on keeping a few, I'll throw a couple bags of ice in it and just put the fish on ice immediately after catching them. They taste better, IMO, especially in the hot summer. To clean it, pull it out & clean it with garden hose. Easy. It just seems to be a better option for me as opposed to my old boat which had dual wells. One was used exclusively for for dry storage.....when it didn't leak. I hated cleaning them too. Always used a little clorox in a lot of water and never failed to get some on the carpet which would lighten up the color (it was dark blue). That whole deal was a pain in the butt. Seemed to have to work on it more than use it. New boat is super simple and when something goes wrong it's an easy fix....usually right there on the water.
a few things about permanent livewells. One they need to be cleaned fairly often. Two, they need to be able to plugged so you can use them for dry storage. Three, if you plumb pumps, use the correct hoses. Lots of people use garden hose and over time it gets hard & cracks. Sometimes you don't know until it's been turned on for a while and then you realize that the boat is filling up with water. Or if the drain/pump out, recirc leaks, it can leak water that way too.
I went back to a jon boat, open floor, with a cooler for a livewell. If I am using catch/release, I'll take it out and leave it in the garage. If I plan on keeping a few, I'll throw a couple bags of ice in it and just put the fish on ice immediately after catching them. They taste better, IMO, especially in the hot summer. To clean it, pull it out & clean it with garden hose. Easy. It just seems to be a better option for me as opposed to my old boat which had dual wells. One was used exclusively for for dry storage.....when it didn't leak. I hated cleaning them too. Always used a little clorox in a lot of water and never failed to get some on the carpet which would lighten up the color (it was dark blue). That whole deal was a pain in the butt. Seemed to have to work on it more than use it. New boat is super simple and when something goes wrong it's an easy fix....usually right there on the water.
