Baitwell Splashing

[cagrove]

GGC,
The problem is when you run on plane that water in the baitwell splashes against the lid which forces water into the drain channel around the baitwell. The drain channel then dumps the water onto the main deck instead of back into the baitwell. When I fill the baitwell there is a good six inches between the water level and the lid. After a short run I've had as little as two inches of water left in the baitwell...not enough to keep bait alive. The baitwell drains out the bottom through a tube and out the back of the boat right next to the inlet. I don't feel the plumbing is causing the problem...it's the lid and drain channel.

Since I started this thread I have since sealed up the drain channel overflows with Rule and after a test run this weekend found that it cut down on the splashing by about half. What I need now is to find a way to drain the water from the channel back into the live well. My plans are to drill a hole (or holes) from the channel to the baitwell and install a hose to carry the water. I do like your idea of lining the inside with starboard to help deflect the water. I've also been toying with the idea of using some kind of gasket to help seal the lid.

Any thoughts?

[cagrove]

Well, after mulling the whole thing over I've decided to:
1) Put on a piano hinge on the rear of the lid
2) Put a recessed latch on the front
3) Put a hatch sealant gasket around the top of the baitwell where the lid sits.

My hopes are that once the hinge and latch are in place they will compress the gasket making a water tight seal and solve the problem. The parts were ordered today from BoatersWorld.com and should arrive within the next few days. I'll take pictures and post the results when I get the install finished.

[cagrove]

Well, I've fixed the problem. I installed a piano hinge on the rear of the hatch and a flush mount latch on the front. I then lined the top of the baitwell with "hatch seal gasket" (kind of like weather stripping). When I latch down the hatch it compresses the gasket and makes for a water tight unit.

Here are a few pictures:

Drilling the hole for the latch:
Hole drilled for latch.jpg

Gasket installed
Gasket.jpg

Finished, shows latch and hinge
Top view latch installed.jpg

Another view with better perspective
Finished lid closed.jpg

Inside latch catch and gasket
Latch catch and gasket.jpg

The whole installation took about 1 hour...I wish I would have done this two years ago.

Drop me a line if you have questions.

[OspreyVic]

WOW Chuck. You do real nice work, and your documentation is GREAT.

Thanks for posting. Should help a lot of others.

[ILLOGICAL GGC]

open mouth--insert foot!! I never saw that you were trying to fix a 170 problem. All along i was telling you how we do the 210s ---no wonder you were confused!! anyway that is a great looking mod if i say so and i expect to see some form of it on a future factory model year cause they like to "use" our improvements . LOL
berto

[Putershark]

Looks killer Chuck,
Is there any way to install the hinge out of sight into the gap by chance? Was thinking that would help keep it cleaner (maybe) for the guys who use their 170's in salt water.

Great work!

[cagrove]

Thanks Guys,
I appreciate the kind words.

Berto...no worries friend...you were only trying to help and I really appreciate it.

PuterShark...I was really going more for function than looks but I'm sure the hinge could be hidden if someone wanted to. It would more than likely take cutting down the lid a little for the hinge to fit but I'm sure it can be done. FYI...everything I used was either stainless or plastic so I'm sure it would hold up under a Saltwater environment.

Tight lines.

[jconstab]

Excellent work Cargrove. I have the exact same setup on my 17 Logic livewell and I have experienced the same problems you described. I've have been thinking up some ideas on how to correct the problem. You say it worked, so I guess I will follow suit.

Thanks.

[boomer812]

I have a 2000cc with the floating lid. I fixed the bait well splash problem with a small 1/4" round brown rubber door self adhesive weather stripping I bought at Home Depot. Problem solved. Its been on there over a year now and still in place.

I also used one of Home Depot pvc hollow fence posts to make a holder for an oxygen e-tank mounted horizontally next to the center console. I bubble oxygen at .5 liters per minute thru hose running thru a rubber plug in a collapsable tube fitting in the side of the bait well. I attached a aquarium bubbler to make microbubbles and put some zeolite in the top of it to filter out the urine as bait gets really stressed bouncing around in there. My bait is still alive when I reach home. I just freeze it till next trip. I rarely loose any bait and it sure gets them going. Like on steriods. Nothing like watching your bait jump out of the well! I get three or four trips out of one bottle of oxygen.

[cagrove]

Originally Posted by jconstab

Excellent work Cargrove. I have the exact same setup on my 17 Logic livewell and I have experienced the same problems you described. I've have been thinking up some ideas on how to correct the problem. You say it worked, so I guess I will follow suit.

Thanks.

It does indeed work. I've been out several times and have filled the baitwell just to test it. I run all over the place in chop and wakes and not a drop comes from the baitwell. The only thing I would change if I did it again would be to hide the hinge flanges...but that's purely for looks, not function. Let me know if you have any questions. Good luck.