Bertram33 User Forum

In a previous conversation with Joe Tomaini, we started talking about Live Wells. The one that I have is custom and came with the boat. It's an aluminum well that fits into the hatch of the Starboard-Aft Hatch. It works but it spills salt water all over my rudder, it's hard to empty because I've got to lift it out of there and you have to get down on your knee's every time you want bait. So it's not very convenient and although I've got a couple of other ideas, I'd like to see or hear about what kind of a setup you have. I want something that's easy to setup and tear down, will store relatively easy and take a lot of rolling as it's common for us to drift fish with live bait. Anyone have any good solutions ? Rick Ticket 85 SF Merc 454 MPI's Falmouth, MA

30 gal plastic blue drum. Lots of commercial guys use this set up. Very lightweight. You could probably store it behind your ladder. Cut it to the height you want.. pump sea water in and set up a drain plug near bottom.

Oh... and you get an orange polyball for a lid to keep your blues from jumping out! Looks extra tough that way. You will be like an extra on the deadliest catch!

Being kind of an aquarium nut & collecting numerous tropicals, I've learned that the well works much better if you plumb the intake on the bottom & direct the water flow in a clockwise direction & then take the overflow off the top, the well works much better. I can keep a full well of baits alive for days with this setup. All the aquarium guys will tell you that the least oxygenated water is always at the top. The transom wells are also rigged this way with a stand pipe cut to the length of the water level you desire. Joe Tomaini 1988 Sportfish Attitude Adjustment II Fort Lauderdale, FL

Chris, that's along the lines of what I'm looking for, but definitely won't store behind the ladder although I wish it did. Joe, water coming in the bottom seems to work out. The one I have now does and I've never lost a bait either. It drains from the very top and the scary part is that the drain hole is slightly below the water line on the transom. If the drain hose ever gets punctured, guess what happens. So that's another reason to change this setup. Rick Ticket 85 SF Merc 454 MPI's Falmouth, MA

Rick.. put a drain hose 6-12 inches from the top but also put a drain valve near the bottom so you can get the water out. Make sure you can get suction from your pump while underway.

I agree, Rick. Seems like that's a dissaster waiting to happen. Since I moved the geny forward, I use the old exhaust through hull & plumbed this to the well outflow. Works great & keeps the deck clear of the hoses. I have a drain on the bottom of the tank as well. Joe Tomaini 1988 Sportfish Attitude Adjustment II Fort Lauderdale, FL

I would get at least a forty gallon round deck well that sits on the deck. I would also keep the deck well for the days you can't mix baits like bally hoo and sardines. Flow is the most important thing in keeping baits fresh and the rule 1600 does a nice job but still will air lock at times. Check out Miami offshore bait solutions.

Thanks guys. I think that's going to have to be the solution. Since I have no genny, I can probably find a tank that fits in that compartment for storage. Quick setup & tear down is really what I want to achieve. Hopefully I can rig the supply and a drain around the mufflers. Rick Ticket 85 SF Merc 454 MPI's Falmouth, MA