baitwell ideas

[2182]

its time for a baitwell. when i got my boat, the deck had been recently redone, with no htches whatsoever. i cut one out to access the bilge, and now im not sure where to put the baitwell (boat is 18 ft). right now im thinking the best place is behind lean post under the deck, basically sitting in the bilge. how would i go about this. im basically thinking about cutting an access hole, bulding some sort of frame for it, dropping it in, then getting a watertight cover. theres already a thru hole right next to the bilge so that wont be an issue. Is this as (somewhat) easy as im making it sound? I know most of you have bigger boats but maybe somebodys done/tried this. im kind of strapped for deck space. my other option is yanking cooler seat in front of console (which acts mainly as precious dry storage) and putting it there. any input would be appreciated...

[McGillicuddy]

Here's a pretty compact idea.
http://www.baysidemarineservices.com/livewells.asp
Ton of them out there but many are way over priced... Hey, it's a boat. Break Out Another Thousand, right? Not sure what type of leaning post you have but I guessing you might fashion something similar with a lot less work than cutting up 4sq. feet of your new deck...I've seen some short & squat tanks that might fit under you leaning post depending on post model... Good luck.

[Old'sCool]

Here's my homegrown version for not much $$$ and works great! I have a smaller drum you can have and I'll walk you through the plumbing part.

[2182]

do you take that whole thing out when not in use or is it stationary? also are you fishing the ska tournament tomorrow?

[Old'sCool]

It stays in the garage unless I'm using it. I'm not fishing Bluewater but may fish FFM.

[FELLOW-SHIP]

Hi 224466;

I did what you are thinking about doing. I built a live well, built a little deck for it to fit in, plumbed it just like the new Seacraft 23 CC have. There are a few things you will need to consider first before taking the chain saw out. I knew it could work because the new Seacraft were doing it and the hull design has not changed.
Questions
Is the top of your live well and deck high enough above the water line of your boat that you don’t flood your boat?
Can you drain water out of the tank with a live well pump running with out it coming up and onto your deck. I am not sure about your boat if you do. I once had a 18’ Hydrasport and had a tank above deck. On that boat I did not have enough room for a under the deck tank.

Deck for tank and live well.


Live well installed



Fellow-Ship


Just for the Grins

[76Red18]

That under deck baitwell that your gonna install is the one thing that most of us 18 owners hate. The 18 came with a well in that very place. If you can, keep it above deck and as far from the stern as possible. I have 2 plastic ones under my leaning post.



Thru deck drain and fill lines

Pumps located in the hated well

[2182]

thanks for all the well labeled pics. i think thats the way to go, probably cheaper too. how many gallons are those? reelescape did i see you on water today 2ish by the aquarium? i was on my buddys contender coming away from shipyard creek, spent all day getting bait for tomorrow. if it wasnt you theres a boat very similar to yours floating around down here.

[Old'sCool]

Not me. I was yakin today. You must be fishin the BW tourney??

[2182]

sure am, on my way over to remleys point in a few minutes (its 3:45). maybe we could meet up one evening this week; i would like to see how you run your hoses.