livewell conversion

[yodaddy]

I converted the fish box on an '83 into a live well, and it works great. It uses 2 pumps, both controlled by float switches in the live well.

For the supply water I ran a Rule 1100 gph through hull pump below the water line on the transom, took a piece of 2-1/2" PVC and glued an end cap on, then cut the PVC in 1/2 lengthwise. I used one of the cut pieces and fitted the cap end up over the intake on the through hull and extended it about 1/4" below the hull for a water pickup while under way. Used 5200 for a sealant, and a couple of screws on center through the PVC to hold it to the transom. I fitted and 5200'ed a piece of heavy gauge fine stainless mesh over the end of the pickup tube to keep crap out of the pump. I bored a hole as high as I could through the bulkhead behind the fish box, and into the box itself for the live well supply water tubing. I mounted a piece of wood at the back of the fishbox and attached a float switch upside down at the max height I wanted to fill the live well ( down about 3" from the top).

For the discharge I mounted a Tsunami 800 gph pump at the bottom back of the live well, bored a hole as high as I could through the back of the fishbox, and ran the discharge tubing out to a through hull discharge. This pump is controlled by a float switch mounted about 3" lower than the switch that controls the intake pump.

All penetrations into the fish box were sealed with spray foam insulation.

Works slick as **** and will keep mackerel and pollack alive for days. Could feed the buggers and have an aquarium if we wanted.