Baitwell Splashing

[cagrove]

Well, I'm finally officially fed up with my baitwell splashing water out of it when running in any kind of chop. It seems on my 2003 model that the gutters around the baitwell were designed just like the front fish boxes...to keep water from getting in and to drain any excess on to the floor and into the bilge. Bad idea. What really happens is water splashes against the lid and into the gutters which then drains on to the floor making for a wet ride. So I'm looking for a fix. Has anyone else tackled this problem? I'm looking for a way to keep water in and the floor dry. Any ideas?

[joeygumbo]

I have been having the same issue with my 170 dc (07). Does your baitwell have hinges or does the lid slide in and out? Mine slides in and out with the stern side have a lip attatched to the baitwell to keep it from poping out. I am thinking about cutting some starboard attatching hinges to it and lining it with some sort of gasket. If anyone has modified this please let me know because i am tired of having to shut off the ballcock valve to keep my feet from getting soaked everytime I put the boat on plane due to the highspeed intake system.

[cagrove]

Originally Posted by joeygumbo

I have been having the same issue with my 170 dc (07). Does your baitwell have hinges or does the lid slide in and out?

Mine is just a piece of grey plastic that sits on a ledge making it flush with the top of the baitwell. No hinges. I'm thinking of sealing up the channel drains and drilling a drain from the channel back into the baitwell. That way any water that splashes out will get trapped in the channel and drain right back into the baitwell. Still pondering the situation and soliciting ideas before I act.

[joeygumbo]

Mine is the way that you described it. I am not happy with the fact that everytime i go to use bait from the well I must set my rod down so i can free up one hand to not only open but hold the lid while the other hand reaches for bait. There has to be some way to cut a lid that fits and gasket it to keep it from leaking and attatching.

[Jim Jenkins]

Cargrove,

Have the same experience on my 170 CC. Some resolution as follows: Lower the water level to the best level for bait and less sloshing over the sides. Just cut the drain off to lower the level. Go slow, perhaps 1/2 inch to start.

I also installed a livewell pump timer that has an adjustable feature that I choose for about 30 sec. of pumping with 2 min. off. I open the flow control near full open to get the most water and agitation for the "on" time. Baits; finger mullet, pin fish, menhadden all seem to do OK. Typically 15-18 pinfish.
We typically buy 100 live shrimp for a day in Florida and they stay frisky for the day.

These modifications do not eliminate the sloshing but it is reduced to be less annoying.

[cagrove]

Jim Jenkins,
Thanks,
I appreciate you sharing your ideas.

[foxbo]

Must have changed the design for 04. Mine doesn't have any channels and the lid sets recessed into the top of the baitwell. The only place I get splash is through the hole in the center of the lid. This only happens if I'm in some serious chop. The only thing I don't like about the lid is it's not hinged, you have to remove it everytime you need bait.

[ILLOGICAL GGC]

Just to give you some ideas, this is how i "hinged" my solid 210 livewell cover. i since put 2 hinges in the center and removed one on the outside so it now folds up out of the way

[cagrove]

Thanks GGC,
That's a great idea. I may have to "borrow" that one.

[Jan from Humboldt]

I just fill mine with ice and beer and fish with lures.