Floor Fishbox

[Curly]

This year I bought a used 08 OP, Anyone find a way to use the infloor fishbox for Actuallly using for Fish? Drain line too small, plugging with scales and other debris, Do not like the idea of it draining into Bilge area, hate to have the whole boat smell(wife would never come fishing then).

Any solutions other then holding empty "pop" cans.

I usually use transom Live well to keep Crabs, a good day fishing will fill all Fish boxes, Front and Floor. May have to convert Front fish box to livewell

OP handles more then I thought it would, little rougher ride then Glass boat, Enjoy the comfort of HT, more protected inside cab. OP battles wind more then I am used too, will need to find Kicker prop guard

[nahmint]

hey Curly
Congrats on your purchase... we are really happy with our boat's performance as well.
We do alot of boating here on the west coast of BC, and run both "inshore" and "offshore".
Anyway, we did alot of research before deciding on Hewescraft and from the outset I didn't see a satisfactory solution for the in floor fish box for the reasons that you give. We use both the transom box and the bow box and also a cooler to stow fish, prawns, crabs etc. I ended up choosing an 84 gallon fuel tank to make use of the floor space and that was a really good choice for us.
Let us all know what you decide.
Larry

[SmokinBarrel]

Larry,

Do you have a picture of the gas tank you converted into a livewell, or fishbox? As well as it is installed in your boat?

Sorry, I read it wrong.....you used the extra space for fuel. I was thinking you used it as a livewell or extra fishbox.

Thanks.

[kodiakoceanpro]

I have the 84 gallon fuel tank in my 09 OP. I drilled a larger hole in the aft wall of the floor fish hold. I am in the process of trying to install a hose and T connector to the live well hose to drain out of the stern. Hope this will solve my problems.

[Dale]

I was thinking you could have a 'T' valve. One side goes to a macerator pump to pump out blood and guts while on the water. The other side goes to the bilge and used when the boat is on the trailer.

[OP-NW]

I just ended up enlarging the drain hole a little to help drainage. Right now it's just misc. storage space.

I keep separate coolers to hold fish and bait, my boat didn't come with any insulated compartments. Anyway it's easier for me to haul the catch home from the dock that way. Then I can hose out the coolers and bleach them at home if needed.

Good luck on your more elaborate plans, their a good idea I've just not spent the time or money to upgrade.

[Curly]

I havent pulled the floor up, but I imagine Fishbox is welded to boat, have to fabricate something in place

[Chasin' Tail]

how much fish are you looking to hold? I have purchased a couple Killbags. If you havnt heard of them, they are basically a very big soft sided cooler. They have flat bottoms and basically stand up.

I put one on my OS bracket between the motor and the transom. So it takes up no floor space at all.

The ones i have are called "Reliable kill bags" they can be purchased at a place called Charkbiat, online and range from about $200-275 depending on how big you get.

Ive got the 28x48 size, which will hold about 50# of ice plus 8 20# tuna.

No boat mess, no stinky bilge and they keep the fish very cold.. Better than any cooler ive owned.

[Curly]

This is a day fishing, Prince rupert July2010. 4 of us on boat.
Have to excuse the Boat name, that was the former owner, maybe he lurks here

I try to make 3 trips a year to Rupert(18 days on the water, Wife permitting), this is the only time we need the room.
I carry a Cooler on transom, Full of shaved Ice. I seen some HT's with Coolers on the roof, may have to look at that for more room

[Curly]

I also would like to point out, I am not a charter. Just someone that enjoys fishing.

I used to book 2-3 charters a year and finally just wife said just buy a boat, so I didnt waste anytime.
Still learning areas, looking for new areas.

I have to see about Island winter fishing, I have to take the "Old gals" (my mother and 3 aunts) fishing, 2 aunts live around comox