Livewell construction etc

[Stu_000]

I've been wading through livewell posts but there isn't much on construction.

When I bought Warrens punt

http://www.breammaster.com/forum/sho...threadid=10893

he mentioned using using epoxy? I think so the remaining foam wouldn't be eaten. He has the top cut already as you can see. Thinking about it there are other otions such as plastic, ali, f/glass (will eat the foam I think).

So I need some input and ideas about what to make it from and how to go about it. Also how to plumb it eg a bilge pump to fill it and an aerator inside to cut down on noise. So once it is full only the aerator runs (like JP and Mims Muddleduck). Also the overflow and drain setup and where to cut holes for pickups and drains in the transom/hull.

I'm really keen to do it properly so it's fully set and forget, so the seperate aerator is probably the way to go, so you only have to occaisonally change the water with the bilge pump.

Another concern is how the punt will sit in the water when the livewell is full. The pickup on the transom may sit out of the water if I'm fishing from the front. I'm about 80kg, the water will be around 50-60kg, plus the leccy weight so that's a fair amount of weight near the bow. It will have an outboard fitted full time but in some comps the fuel tank has to be removed (leccy only). I will put the battery down the back so I guess that will help.

Finally, I heard in the US the Bass boats have a long pickup to pull water from where the fish are sitting. Good idea or not worth the hassle? I guess attaching a long pickup when stationery wouldn't be too hard.

Thanks for your input ideas and any pics you have of your setups

Cheers

[Dave W]

Howdy Stu

I was just about to start typing a long winded reply, but find this is much easier:

http://www.flow-rite.com/marine/documents.html

Wade through all this and you'll have some really good ideas, and these products are available in Aus too, I think Gary Fooks brings them in.

[Stu_000]

Thanks Dave - a wealth of info as usual

Cheers

[Dave W]

No probs mate

One thing I've learn't more than anything is the whole 'sump' concept.

Different guys have different ideas about how they want their pumps setup (I like a fresh pump in with keep alive recirculating deal) but the sump idea is awesome, otherwise you always have that little bit of water sitting in the well.

[Richo]

Had a bit of a gander at the set up myself, not bad, now just to understand it all and work out whats gonna go in mine.

cheers

[Stu_000]

The "pump out areator" is sweet. As you said Dave the sump idea is a good one. If the aerator in this system is installed in the base to be used as a sump and the livewell is tapered to the aerator outlet all the water is effectively pumped out. Great system for flushing the toxic crap that drops to the bottom of the livewell too. I reckon that's the go.

Also the "power stream aerator" is good too.

How do I get hold of Gary, Dave?

[Mark M]

Stu,

Gary uses the forum, do a search for him in the members section.

Very helpful bloke, I use one of his timers on the aerator in my live well.

Keep in mind that the punt is still a 3.5M punt and used mainly in FW and superpunt rounds, where you will probably only need to keep a couple of fish in the well with 60l of water.

You may only need a simple bilge pump filler with an overflow and gravity drain at the low point of the well, plus a portable aerator to throw in on the hot or long journey back to weigh-ins?

If "simple" keeps the fish alive and well, there is more dosh to spend on essentials, like more tackle or excellent beer, (thanks).

MM

[Stu_000]

Good point indeed Mark. I don't want to make it too complex - more stuff to break down. When you look at the cost of the stuff above, however, it's all pretty cheap even though it's in $US. When you can incorporate an aerator with the pump out system - that's pretty neat. All you need then is a small, say, 500 gph bilge pump or inline pump to fill the livewell and you're there.

On to my other question - how to build and what too build the livewell from.

You there Wazza?