AS 170 Modified seat

[Miguel]

I remember saying a couple of weeks ago that I made some modifications to the stock seat of my 185 Osprey 170.  I removed the flip part and raised the box about 10 inches with two solid pieces of teak.  I use the space underneath for storage.  It has just the right height to lean or sit.  I´m in the process of having cushion made for it.
I posted some pics on my gallery.  Sorry about the dirty boat, but with a 4 mo. pregnant wife I haven´t had a chance to use it for a while.  I just keep on working on it, but haven´t had a chance to give it a good cleaning.  As of this moment, I´m rigging a recirculating livewell in the seat in front of the console.

[JimCt]

Project looks good!  Congrats. on the new addition coming along in a few months.  Wish I had the option of a well ahead of the console, but my fuel tank's located there.

[Miguel]

JimCt, there are options for a great well on these boats.  I don´t know about you, but I generally have no use for the extreme end of the bow.  I´ve seen great recirculating wells made in marine coolers.  They should fit nicelly in there.  The really good ones you can even walk on top of.  The only problem is that the bow tends to bounce a lot in rough seas.
I see on your posts that you´ll be making some transom repairs.  This  would be a great time to install a transom intake (seacock) and a drain.  That way you can rig a fresh water livewell in the future.  It would only need some clever thinking into the location of the well.  
Good luck on your fishing trip.  Actually, I´ll take my boat out for a spin tomorrow, for the first time in 4 months.  I just hope the peacock bass are in a bitting mood tomorrow.

[JimCt]

Never thought about a live well, but that's a good idea while I've got the transom pulled apart.  How are the livewells hooked up?  Are they active, that is do they require a pump or they passive, using a scoop and forward motion of the boat to force water into the well?

You in Fla?  Looks like it from your pictures...  What's a peacock bass?

[Miguel]

There are various kinds of livewells.  Recirculating wells and fresh water wells.  Recirculating wells have a pump that draws water from the well itself and pumps it thru an oxigenator head, which can simply be a PVC pipe with little holes.  This is the kind I have and it is good for small amounts of fish, unless you put some new water in every couple of hours.  
The other kind has a pump on the transom or floor of the boat that draws water from the lake or ocean and pumps it into the well.  The well itself has a large overflow drain to get rid of excess water.  The problem with these ones is that unless you mount the pump of the bottom of the boat (with a scoop) they go dry when running.  
I also rigged a system, which is a PVC pipe with a 90 degree elbow that sticks below the bottom of the boat.  On the other end is a hose connection.  While running, a lot of water goes through that hose....  I use it to put new water in the well and for general cleaning.
I am in Panama (Central America).   It is a great boating and fishing location, as we have access to both oceans, as well as great freshwater fishing.  I just came back from Gatun Lakes, which is a large manmade lake that is a part of the Panama Canal.  Peacock bass is a species of fish that inhabits the lake.  It is a fierce fighter and also makes for good table fare.

[JimCt]

Will give some thought to the well.  There are quite a few shapes & sizes shown & discussed in this site.  I've got some homework to do looking into what others have done with their 170's.  Space is pretty tight.

I've heard Panama is quite a spot for serious deep water fishing.  Like you say, you've got two oceans to choose from.  Can't be many other places like that!

[Miguel]

The well should be a nice addition to your boat..... Even if you don´t use it often it is a "nice to have".  If you fish tournaments it may even be a requirement to bring fish back alive.
Panama is indeed a great deep fishing location.  However, the 170 is a bit small for serious offshore fishing.  She´s been offshore a couple of times, and the fishing has been great, but I preffer to stay closer to shore or go to the various lakes and rivermouths in search of bass, snook and tarpon.