I got a 14' jonboat and i'm looking to build a custom live well in the bow instead of lugging a portable one around....I don't have a trailer so too much material won't be all that much fun trying to lug it around by hand...If any one has any ideas, tips, advise, pictures, etc i'd appreciate it.

thanks

Pete

I would say the best thing to do is to get a nice cooler and mount it in the boat... a cooler will keep the water cooler and be very simply to mount any where in the boat... I think that if you use any other material that there will be no insulation and the water will get pretty warm.  A cooler would also be good because you dont have to worry bout buiding a top that will open with hinges or latch properly.  also you could drill a couple of holes toward the top of either end of the cooler to put in a couple of bubblers.  GOOD LUCK

Yeah a cooler rigged up like a fish aquarium wouldn't be too pricey or heavy.  Next on the "hook up da boat list" will be a trailer though.  Followed by a 50hp merc with a jackplate, hot foot accelerator, hydrolic steering, side imaging sonar, and airbrushed glitter paint job.  You think the bait monkey is expensive....try having the boat monkey on your back.  He's more like a 2ton silverback gorilla.

i have a 14ft jon boat as well, and currently it is a car topper.  i was going to build a livewell out of aluminum, but now im having 2nd thoughts.

i like having it as a car topper / hand carry boat.  adding more permanent weight it not an option unless you have a trailer.

if you build it out of a cooler, you can remove it when you dont need it.  as for me, i dont need a livewell for every fishing trip.  most fish go back in the water right away.  cleaning a cooler is much easier than cleaning a permenant livewell

I have a cooler I use in my small alum boat.  What I did was to mount an infusor type aerator in it, and it works well.  One thing i would not do is "mount " it to the boat.  You want to be able to just lift it out when you wont need it, also making cleaning more easier.

Here is the one I use:

http://www.keepalive.net/portable.htm

I just simply mountes this in the bottom of a standard cooler and it works great!!!

If you have any questions just shoot me a pm.

recon

I have to agree with everyone here on this.

Using a cooler for your livewell is not only cheap to buy and build, you can use it as a cooler if you want ;D

It's simple to build, easy to carry and remove from your boat as well. I'm sure it's your best option.

Scottie