Adding live well to flat bottom

[james__12345]

Im looking to add a livewell to my 1648 flatbottom. I'm trying to figure out the best location for my intake and drain. I've read that straight out the back like the drain plug is common for the intake, but I've also read that can cause issues with losing prime on the pump while on plane. I have also saw high speed intakes that go through the bottom of the boat, but I'm not sure that would work for me because I do a lot of bowfishing, and I spend a lot of time dragging the bottom so that type of inlet would likely end up clogged, damaged, or worse yet pulled off causing a big leak. What would be my best option for the intake and outlet for the live well.

Also I've read that the drain needs to be considerably larger than the input. My issue there is that in not sure if there are plugs available for the larger hole in the event of a leak.

Also, I will likely also be adding a small baitwell. Would there be a good way for both tanks to use the same inlet and drain?

 

[Scott Danforth]

straight out the back looses prime on plane period. been that way with every fishing boat I have ever been on

when on plane you will not be running the livewell. hence the usual sticker that says dont run livewell while underway that you find on most boats with a livewell from the factory

high speed inlets are for the motor

you need the drain to be bigger, because your pumping in water and gravity is the only thing letting water out.

I have a cooler I converted to a livewell for my little 14'. when I want to run the livewell, I toss the lines over the side into the water and turn on the pump

When I am on plane, I simply pull them back in.

to use half your livewell as a bait well, use a perforated baffle between them.