Swim platform mounted livewell

[96TL]

Hey guys. I originally sent Dale a PM asking for some advice. I decided to post this on the forum for all to view. Maybe someone here has done this before, or maybe it will help someone else in the future.

Last season I installed a livewell on my 2320. It’s a 26 gallon Kodiak Pro-Flow (works awesome). Its powered by a thru-hull mounted 800GPH Shurflo Bait Sentry pump. Its plumbed from the pump to a Perko garden hose water outlet mounted on my bilge splash wall. The tank itself also has a garden hose fitting, so I hook it up with a short piece of hose with garden hose fittings on each end whenever I need it and leave it in the corner. See pic below.

I really want to mount this tank on my swim platform now. I feel like it takes up too much room, and is always in the way. Parker says it will withstand the extra weight without any problems (208 pounds). I guess the swim platform its really beefed up to support the heavy Yamahas.

Anyway, since my pump is mounted in the bilge, what is the best way to get water from the bilge to the swim platform mounted tank? I was thinking maybe a long thru-transom fitting, but it would have to be threaded on both ends. No such fitting exists from what I can tell. I want it to be clean. I don’t want the next buyer to complain when I sell it. Any ideas?

Thanks a mil.

Dom


This is Dale's response. Similar to what I was thinking. I think going through the transom is the only option. I just need to figure out the cleanest way.

Hey Dom:

Thats what I was thinking too, putting a pipe through the transom.

But how about this? You could bore a 1" hole through the transom and then wet out the core. Then fill with thickened epoxy and imbed a 1/2" wooden dowel in the center. Then using a Forster bit or even a spade bit, bore out the entire wood dowel plus some of the epoxy plug. Size it so a piece of gardon hose just sneaks through. Then I'd smear the hose with 4200 or Lifecaulk and put 'something' on each side of the transom so that bedded section stays in place there.

This eliminates fittings which will keep your flow better! You know, feel free to ask questions like this on the forums, as maybe others have 'been there - done that' or have better ideas.

Dale

Here is a pic of the current setup.

 

[Bryan 2530]

I was thinking of doing the same on my 2530. My number one concern is a large wave riping the thing off the transom :shock:

What do you guys think about that :?:

I was just going to run the hose over the transom for times when I use it.

 

[tara11]

Thats how they mount them on the Davis boats here in Calif, I wanted to do the same thing, but I just have a feeling I would regret it !

 

[Capt. Ronnie]

I love mine!
As for it moving, my barrel is 40 gals,( it took me a LONG time to find just the right size barrel)
it's strapped around the center attaching to 2 eyelets through the transom, but also on the port side I have the mount for a kicker motor that I notched a bit and the barrel fits snug and I also have a 2x2 rubber mat held down with a few dabs of silicone that the barrel sits on for no side to side slip.
As for the pump and hose out to the barrel,
I would suggest a much bigger pump than 800 gph, mine is 3800gph and is fed by 1 1/2 hose that I just hang over the transom that connects to a barbed fitting on the bottom of the barrel when in use,
The hose is about 10 ft long and serves as a killer wash down also!
Hope this helps.

 

[96TL]

That looks and sounds really good Cap. Thanks for the info. 8)

 

[Outta Here]

"Capt Ronnie", Where does the 40 gal livewell drain?

 

[DaleH]

Most probably out the side (outlet mounted within a few inches of the top) and into the water

 

[Capt. Ronnie]

Most probably out the side (outlet mounted within a few inches of the top) and into the water

Exactly.
3 1 1/2 holes about 2 inches from the top, and positioned with water draining at angle away from engine.

 

[Outta Here]

Capt Ronnie, Could that extra 330+#'s suspended off the transom contribute to "stern heavy" issues you were having? :shock:

 

[Capt. Ronnie]

Capt Ronnie, Could that extra 330+#'s suspended off the transom contribute to "stern heavy" issues you were having? :shock:

I had the "stern heavy" issue with the barrel empty.
Adding the water made it worse :roll
I now make sure not to put more gas in tank than necessary !