QUESTION ON FISH BOX ON BOW OF 19.6

[1985aquasport196]

HELLO IS THERE ANY FUNCTION TO THE CENTER HATCH FISHBOX?  WAS IT DESIGNED ORIGINALLY AS BAIT WELL OR FUNCTIONING AERATOR? 
ANY HELP MUCH THANKS. 1985 19.6

[Blue Agave]

The original intention of the forward center compartment of the 19'6" is storage.  IMO using any compartment in the front of the boat as a baitwell is silly as it will only get everyone behind it wet.

[boatnamesue]

HELLO IS THERE ANY FUNCTION TO THE CENTER HATCH FISHBOX?  WAS IT DESIGNED ORIGINALLY AS BAIT WELL OR FUNCTIONING AERATOR? 
ANY HELP MUCH THANKS. 1985 19.6

The middle compartment is a fish/ice box.  The drain inside the compartment can be plugged for such a use.  Not sure where your drain outflow is located.  Mine is located starboard. 

IMO using any compartment in the front of the boat as a baitwell is silly as it will only get everyone behind it wet.

Not true.  Many hull manufacturers design a bow compartment baitwell...Pathfinder, Barker, Robolo, Bay Ranger, just to name a few.  The baitwell's hatch design seals the compartment, preventing water extrusion.  However, to your point, if one converts a bow compartment into a baitwell and doesn't seal it....then who knows the mess that could ensue.

[Blue Agave]

IMO using any compartment in the front of the boat as a baitwell is silly as it will only get everyone behind it wet.

Not true.  Many hull manufacturers design a bow compartment baitwell...Pathfinder, Barker, Robolo, Bay Ranger, just to name a few.  The baitwell's hatch design seals the compartment, preventing water extrusion.  However, to your point, if one converts a bow compartment into a baitwell and doesn't seal it....then who knows the mess that could ensue.

Although that may be true, let's not lose sight of the fact that the OP's boat is neither a Pathfinder, Barker, Robalo, nor Bay Ranger; it's a 1985 Aquasport.  As an owner of a 19'6' I can state with certainty that using that front compartment as a livewell will result in wet passengers.  Not to mention the bait would be beat to no end.

[1985aquasport196]

THANKS TO ALL WHO GAVE INPUT ,  WHEN i SAW DRAIN IN CENTER HATCH i THOUGHT IT WAS LIKE MY CUSTOM FLATS BOAT/ SIMILAR TO SABALO.  .  IT SCOOPS WATER UP WHEN BOAT IS ON A PLANE.  WILL MOST LIKELY USE PORTABLE BAIT WELL AND NOT OVER THINK. i  WAS UNSURE OF DESIGN AT FIRST AND JUST PURCHASED THE AQUA SPORT...THANKS .

[boatnamesue]

Although that may be true, let's not lose sight of the fact that the OP's boat is neither a Pathfinder, Barker, Robalo, nor Bay Ranger; it's a 1985 Aquasport.  As an owner of a 19'6' I can state with certainty that using that front compartment as a livewell will result in wet passengers.  Not to mention the bait would be beat to no end.

I agree.  That is why I included the last statement in my previous post:

However, to your point, if one converts a bow compartment into a baitwell and doesn't seal it....then who knows the mess that could ensue.