Thinking of adding a bait well to my bass boat

[wildmaninal]

I've been toying with this for a while, then today I found a styrofoam cooler on the road (like new). I measures 12 & 1/2 inches wide at the bottom and 17 inches wide at the top. Thought about cutting it down to the height of my casting deck if not a hair higher then the casting deck, then fiberglassing it in. Don't know if it would be a good idea to glass in the inside or not. The only problem I see if affording the paint, might be a while before I get to paint it.

I don't have a whole picture of the area I'm talking about installing it at, but I have 2 pictures to make 1. Thinking about extending the casting deck beck flush with the driver's console. Once I get the bait well installed, I might add a length of PVC pipe to it and run it to the stern of the boat for the drain and may just do a manual fill (poor the water in) for now and a submersible areator like I have in the live well.

It's either do the above or cut a bait well out of one of the boats I have that I may end up junking, then fiberglassing it in to my boat. No matter which way I do it I still will half to worry about leaving enough room for the rod locker door to open.

How about it? Let me know what you guys think. I know I'm not the first one to add a bait well in a boat, just looking for some input.

Any other input would be great.

One other question...... What type of fiberglass should I use? Can I get by with using fiberglass mat?

Look at the bottom right hand corner of the picture.

Bottom left hand corner of the picture.

Here is a better picture.

P.S. These are older pictures, the boat looks better now.

 

[redfury]

Re: Thinking of adding a bait well to my bass boat

You could use the cloth you get at the auto store if that's what you have available, since the strength of the baitwell will come from the cooler anyway...you are just sealing it and making it a bit better engineered.

I plan to have a baitwell in my boat when I'm done also....I was thinking of one in the front and one in the back actually....

 

[dlngr]

Re: Thinking of adding a bait well to my bass boat

A friend of mine tried to do some body work the same way.The fiberglass melted the styrofoam. Whatever type of 'glass you buy,better try a sample spot first.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Thinking of adding a bait well to my bass boat

Polyester is not compatible with styrofoam, like dlngr said, you'll end up with melted puddle of goo.

 

[NoKlu]

Re: Thinking of adding a bait well to my bass boat

Try picking up an old cooler at a garage sale and cut the outer casing off. They come complete with a drain installed.

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: Thinking of adding a bait well to my bass boat

I was wondering about the styrofoam melting, although I had in mind to surround the styrofoam cooler with plywood.

I do have a couple of old electric coolers laying around though, sort of big but might be a better prospective.

Still might just cut the other bait well out of the other boat, not getting any calls on it anyway even though the motor runs, plus I sorta want the trailer that's under that boat to put under my bass boat, it's better built.

 

[DaveHawkins]

Re: Thinking of adding a bait well to my bass boat

I was wondering about the styrofoam melting, although I had in mind to surround the styrofoam cooler with plywood.

I do have a couple of old electric coolers laying around though, sort of big but might be a better prospective.

Still might just cut the other bait well out of the other boat, not getting any calls on it anyway even though the motor runs, plus I sorta want the trailer that's under that boat to put under my bass boat, it's better built.

Wrap the cooler with hvac aluminum tape, then fiberglass it.

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: Thinking of adding a bait well to my bass boat

Wrap the cooler with hvac aluminum tape, then fiberglass it.

That would be an idea. I got to thinking, I have a smaller cooler setting in the closet that isn't being used, but I don't like the lid on it, if I use it I will remove the lid and use plywood. The lid on the cooler is one of those that you slide out then flip upside down to use for a cup holder.

Still thinking of breaking the sawzall out and cut away on the other boat, shoot I don't know. In a sense I wouldn't mind setting one cooler up for bait and the other for a cooler, but I don't have that much room to play with.

 

[j_martin]

Re: Thinking of adding a bait well to my bass boat

You can just use a substantial cooler, put a recirculating pump and aerator in it, or a small air pump and a bubble stone like in an aquariam. I've done both. kept the fish alive, and also is removable when you need the room for something else. I've had one of each. Worked very well for cheap.

If you're going to put one permanently, get some polyurethane foam, carve it and glue pieces together to get your shape, and glass it inside and out with epoxy for a binder. Don't forget the drain and fill fittings.

hope it helps
John

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: Thinking of adding a bait well to my bass boat

J that is another idea, they do sell the portable areators that you can put down in whatever kind of tank.

If I did build one from scratch I wouldn't half to worry about size I can make it fit just right for the area I wanna put it at. I could use plywood and build a box to help give it stability for when I step on it, use the foam to insulate it, then fiberglass it in.