1986 overnighter fish boxes

[Shady Grady 20]

Hello everyone
Recently I purchased a 86 overnigter, looking at the 2 forward fish boxes at step, is it possible to convert to live well?
Has anyone attempted this, are drains sufficient if used as a livewell

 

[Curmudgeon]

I think you'd have a serious 'sloshing' problem, if no other issue. I know the 'livewell' on a Tournament 22' does, and that box isn't near as long as the overnighter. Livewell drains probably require 75-100% more diameter than the inlet with a nominal size pump ...

 

[Bob's Cay]

I have an '88 Overnighter and think the biggest problem you would have would be access for netting the bait. That box goes forward a ways and would be difficult to reach with a net. That is on top of the plumbing issues that could likely be worked out.

In my boat I originally installed a recirculating pump for the small well in front of the motor well. It worked ok but was just small. Since then I purchased an insulated Keep Alive tank that sits on deck behind the port helm seat. Works well for me.

 

[Grog]

All I've head is that a foreward livewell will beat up the bait.

 

[Shady Grady 20]

Thanks for the input everyone, I do agree about beating up the bait.
Think I will go for something removable with a plugin aerator and try that for a bit

 

[Pay2Play]

What you can do to prevent the sloshing of bait is to mount a removable divider. Lexan type material or starboard, with holes drilled in it so the water can circulate. Not sure about the size of the bait you use but it works well with minnows and such.

 

[Bob's Cay]

This is the bait tank that has worked well on my Overnighter. It is an insulated 14 gallon tank by Keep Alive. Fits right behind the port side helm seat.

http://www.keepalive.net/gif/tanks/jpg/01-14wb.jpg

 

[Clockwork]

one problem i found much to my chagrin is that the fish box is not fully enclosed! if you reach forward and feel the top of the box its raw fiberglass from the bottom of the side of the helm. im not a huge fan of these compartments as fish boxes either because they are hard to access, the lid wont stay up and they are hard to clean especially with that raw fiberglass in there. i put fish in there and now it smells bad forever.

any fish in there would be getting beat badly if it was a livewell. and just not deep enough IMO.