Transom Holes

[southerntidefan]

New builder here. Wanting some input before I drill my livewell drain through the transom. Do you prefer above waterline or below? It's an aluminum hull 1/8 thick with 2x4x1/8 sq tube frame in between 2 sheets of 1/8 sheet for transom. The drain hole will be 1" aluminum sch 80 pipe with a pvc ball valve threaded on the inside of hull. Both livewell are approximately 6" off the bottom of the hull and I was planning on drilling drain hole in transom at about 5.25 inches to center off bottom. Pros, cons of drilling 2 more holes in boat for a total of 3.

 

[Scott Danforth]

welcome aboard

as for the thru-hulls for your livewell, depends on how the livewell is plumbed

your intake will be below the water line. the drains can be at the water line if you have enough free board, however in many boats they are below the water line

with any thru-hull penetration, make sure its sealed and your plumbing on the inside is double clamped

 

[Woodonglass]

I'd recommend drilling oversized holes and then Epoxy in some PVC tubing for the drains. You'll never have to worry about water penetration. Also easy for plugging

 

[dingbat]

Wouldnt mess with homemade solutions. Marelon thru hull fittings are purpose built.

I don’t see mention of an overflow drain. Bait/live wells become “dead” wells w\o sufficient water flow.

Drains must be above the water line to “drain”

 

[Woodonglass]

If you don't want to have the extra expense of the Marelon Fittings (They are kinda Pricey, IMHO), the PVC method mentioned IS proven to be highly effective and very inexpensive solution.

 

[southerntidefan]

The whole boat is homemade lol. My bilge drain is 1" sch 80 welded in. I just know some people dont like to hear the water tinkle on above water drains. 1" sch 80 is the size pipe needed for a standard boat plug to fit in. Had coast guard inspection a couple weeks ago. Basically just looking for a consensus on preference. I personally dont like livewell setups where you have to pump out the drain or swap valves. I'm planning on doing the stand pipe design with overflow tied to drain. The standpipe will be shorter than over flow by about an inch.

 

[southerntidefan]

Also should I consider drilling a hole for each livewell ot tie them together before they exit the hull?

 

[Woodonglass]

It's your boat I'd plumb the LiveWells the way you want them. IMHO either way will work fine.