Bait tank question???

[James343]

Got a question about bait tank weight and how it affects your boat.

I have a 16ft bayliner capri recently I built a bait tank using instructions from another member here sorry I forgot your name but anyhow the tank works great kept a half scoop of bait alive and kicking all day. Here is where the problem comes in I used a 20 gallon trash can and fill it up about 3/4 of the way. The first time out with it I attached it to the swim step and by the end of the day the gas tank compartment and battery wells were almost full with water coming in from the drain hole because the added weight seemed to make the boat sit a little lower. The next time out i figured I would put in the boat to offset the weight no dice same thing happened this time I had it positioned directly in front of the fuel tanks.

So here are my questions:

1. With this large of a tank is this something Im going to have to live with and get a automatic bilge pump.

2. Am I positioning it wrong would it be safer to put it somewhere else.

3. What size tank would be optimal for this type and size of boat.

A little more background so you guys can have the clearest picture possible. Both times out it was myself and one other person. Both times I had two ice chests about half full positioned towards the rear of the boat. I dont have a ton of other gear on the boat and im not heavy of a person but the way these boats are set-up most of the fishing is done from the back end so most of the weight sits in the back of the boat.

Thanks in advance for any advice you guys can give.

 

[ebry710]

Re: Bait tank question???

Here is where the problem comes in I used a 20 gallon trash can and fill it up about 3/4 of the way. The first time out with it I attached it to the swim step and by the end of the day the gas tank compartment and battery wells were almost full with water coming in from the drain hole because the added weight seemed to make the boat sit a little lower. The next time out i figured I would put in the boat to offset the weight no dice same thing happened this time I had it positioned directly in front of the fuel tanks.

1. With this large of a tank is this something Im going to have to live with and get a automatic bilge pump?
A 3/4 of a 20 gallons is 15 gallons. That is the weight of 7 cases of beverages. Not quite the party boat and its only the weight of one man.
In all seriousness, you have a leak or your holding water in the hull.

2. Am I positioning it wrong would it be safer to put it somewhere else.
Center it and it should not be a problem

3. What size tank would be optimal for this type and size of boat.
I don't think 15 gallons is that large, but you don't have to fill it.

 

[James343]

Re: Bait tank question???

"1. With this large of a tank is this something Im going to have to live with and get a automatic bilge pump?
A 3/4 of a 20 gallons is 15 gallons. That is the weight of 7 cases of beverages. Not quite the party boat and its only the weight of one man.
In all seriousness, you have a leak or your holding water in the hull."

I thought this too but when I drained the tank and boat and took the boat out again without the tank I had no problem.

Like I said when the tank is full the boat seems to sag in the rear and the drain hole occasionally slips below the water line letting in water. I'm thinking a bilge pump located in the aft will alleviate the problem.

 

[crb478]

Re: Bait tank question???

Try moving the bait tank to the front of the boat to see if it happens. Not where you want it for convience, but you may already have too much weight at the back of the boat. How many batteries do you have back there?

 

[James343]

Re: Bait tank question???

Only have 1 battery back there but it is where most of the weight in the boat is stored. Next thing im going to try is just to re-distribute the weight move the extra fuel tanks to the bow and move the coolers up to about center. Hopefully that will help Ill keep you guys posted.

 

[john from md]

Re: Bait tank question???

If you have a swim platform with a rail on a early Bayliner Capri, your water may be coming in from splash that is originated by the swim platform. I have seen this happen on two similar boats. When under way, in certain attitudes, the swim platform makes a small rooster tail that hits the hand rail and bounces onto the rear of the transom where the back seat is. The water enters at the top junction of the seat and the transom.

My boat was one of the ones that this happened to. My bilge has stayed dry since I removed the swim platform.

Regards,

John