73 Tsunami live well

[EBEACH]

Guys,

I need some suggestions on the live well on my 73 Tsunami I/O. The tank is located just forward of the engine compartment. Going forward from there is the fuel tank and forward of that is the step-down between the helm seats. I think SeaCraft also called it the fish box. My boat has the hatch that covers this step-down area.

The live well is part of the deck itself, and on the port side of the tank, it extends down from the deck to the top of the keelson. On the starboard side, the tank extends down to the hull. With this design, I don’t see how it is possible for water that drains out the two aft corners of the step-down between the helm seats (fish box) to get past this blockage on the starboard side and drain into the bilge area.

Both the motor and the fuel tank are out right now, so this would be the best time to deal with it if I’m to change it at all. I don’t fish with live bait much, and I’m wondering if I should keep it at all? If I cut it out, I could use that area for the batteries or I could just cut off the bottom section and decrease the depth. Any opinions? Jim