Seafarer 228 Bait Tank Needs Upgrade

[flynnaire]

05 228 with the factory bait tank. Trying to hold Sardines for more then 5-7 hours has become inpossible. We have tried every level of flow possible and nothing seems to work.
Adding a tank to the deck is not possible due to the now built in storage from moving the fuel tank forward.

Looks like minor surgury is our only way out. :shock:
Stay tuned as we mod this sucker to not only hold bait but hold it for days!

You'll excuse me why'll I get the sawzall out.

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[JUST-IN-TIME]

wow
i hold bait for days in my 2000 228

 

[JiminGA]

wow
i hold bait for days in my 2000 228

Just curious - how DO you keep bait live in your livewell overnight? What's your electrical source to keep the pump running, etc., or is there another way of keeping them live? I've always wondered. Thanks!

 

[flynnaire]

Have talked to 3 other owners of 228's and none of them on the west coast are able to keep Sardines alive for more then half a day and they are beat & red nosed and splotchy at best.

As posted the system is working as good as it can get. Fresh bait is mandatory here in San Diego.

The water inlet is poor at it's very best and I beleave the core of the problem. I have a 32 gal fiberglass tank on my deck that keeps even poor bait well and happy. It's not rocket math.

So we are going to open up the oval hole in the deck and add a 32 gal tank that is color matched to GW. There are three batteries in this 228 and the last trip to the island the tank was left on over night for 16 hours and the motor started right up.

Yes the stock tank drain can plug and over fill on to the deck. Bad design. The new tank drains through the whole water coloum so that should reduce the down side to unattended running of the tank.

I will post some pictures as soon as we finish it up

 

[flynnaire]

You can just see the top of the bait tank in this picture and the dead bait(floaters) That was some good bait, 7 hours later and 41 miles offshore with 1-2 footers at 14 sec and it was all but dead and lifeless.
We both got bait at the same barge at the same time and the same amount and mine was doing great if not better.

Needless to say we were able to double the catch on my boat,(13 to there 6) With an on deck 32 gallon Offshore oval.

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[JUST-IN-TIME]

what bait pump u running???

im here in paso robles
we should hook up and fish this year!!!

 

[flynnaire]

Well the damge is done. No turning back now. The up side is for some reason the bait LOVE this tank. You would think they are home without a care in the world. Should of done this a year ago.

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[JUST-IN-TIME]

freaking clean!!!!!!!

when we do tuna, i use a 55 gallon garbage drum

 

[flynnaire]

freaking clean!!!!!!!

when we do tuna, i use a 55 gallon garbage drum

Thank you kind sir. For that you are welcome to come down to chase Tuna with us and we will come north when they move up!!!

 

[JUST-IN-TIME]

freaking clean!!!!!!!

when we do tuna, i use a 55 gallon garbage drum

Thank you kind sir. For that you are welcome to come down to chase Tuna with us and we will come north when they move up!!!

well hell, i will look over your motor for free!!!