200 CCP splash/livewell solution?

[Afishinado]

Hi folks
New guy here.
I'm doing a bit of work on my 1980 200 CCP, getting her ready for the spring Coho troll.  I'm having trouble deciding what to do with the transom splash/live well. I do not use this live well. With the lid closed and the drain plugged it still manages to fill with water.  When full this live well must hold 40+ gallons....a lot of unnecessary weight. Is there anyone with a 200 CCP that has delt with this issue?  Trying to keep my feet dry this season.

[seabob4]

Welcome aboard, afish!  Getting a real head start, huh?  I'm originally from Chicago, so I know you've got a lot of winter left ahead of you...

Anyway, do you have a livewell pump and a t/hull pickup?  If so, there should be a shut-off valve on the pickup.  Simply close the valve.

[jdupree]

If memory serves me correctly, my 200 CCP did not have any kind of a shutoff.  The pickup for that livewell should be right above where the plug screws in.  Mine just came into to livewell via a pvc pipe.  No seacock or any kind of shutoff other than plugging end of cap.  Keep in mind those livewell hatches do not have a watertight seal.  Any water in the splashwell area will leak down into the livewell.  Just buy a nice watertight hatch to replace the factory one and that should take care of that.  

My 222 CCP has that same setup as well.  Should just be able to plug the end of the pipe inside the livewell and that should solve the problem.  Did you plug that?  I think mine had threads on it so I just got a pvc cap that screwed right on.  That is what I did on both of my CCP'S and turned the livewell into storage.

[Afishinado]

Seabob4- believe it or not there is no ice on the south end of the lake....Coho and Browns are being caught out of Gary and Burns right now. This warm weather is probably going to screw up the spring Coho cleanup among other things.

There is no pump on this livewell. On my boat Water splashes over the transom cutout and fills the box. Only way to empty the box is pull the plug on plane and water evacuates. It doesn't take long trolling in 3' seas to fill the box right back up....very frustrating.

[kaptainkoz]

I drilled a drain hole in the box, glassed in a bronze drain tube and installed a plug to let it drain right into the bilge. I also used a standard threaded cap over the pickup. So when I want a live well, I plug the drain and unscrew the cap to let water in.
As far as the cover, I bought a stick on weatherstripping and replaced the latch so I can seal that cover down tightly. works fine and I use the well often for my catch or live bait. The only warning is that you have to make sure the entire cover panel is sealed well because if you have older crappy outboards like me, any fuel that leaks out when you tilt the motor will end up in the livewell. Not a great way to marinade your catch!
CAUTION!!!! IF drilling in a drain tube, keep in mind the keel is right underneath the bin. Drill the hole off center a bit to avoid landing right on the keel which will not give you the clearance to use a plug.

[Capt. Bob]

I sealed my live well with 3M 5200. Never leak water into the bilge again, period.
I never used the well and when I needed to get it open, I did with little/no damage.
Not for everyone for sure but you asked.

[gran398]

afish,

Take note of JDupree's input, particularly regarding the internals. He owned a 200 CCP for many years.

He now owns a 222 CCP,  similar configuration.

[GoneFission]

First, get some foam weatherstripping and put it on the underside of the lid to help keep water out.  

Second, put a valve on the thru-hull and close it to keep the water out.

Third, put a garboard drain/plug in the bottom of the livewell to allow water to drain into the bilge and be pumped out by the bilge pump.

Fourth, re-caulk the top splashwell seams along the transom and other areas on the top of the spashwell - it's amazing how much water can come in though those seams if not sealed.  

Thank should do it!  Good luck.