Livewell For For Front Deck Of My Boat

[Seth]

My boat is a 1650 with a 50 hp Yamaha jet on the back. These are the front and back pictures of the boat.

Front

Back

The previous owner kept the coolers in front using one for beverages/food and one for a livewell. I have been wanting a bigger live for my boat, but the only spot I have room would be in this empty space where the coolers usually sit.

I found this online and it looks like what I have been wanting. It's 48" x 42" x 12" x 12" deep. This will fit perfectly in the empty space in the front of the boat.

I know weight distribution is the big thing. Right now, I have two 6 gallon tanks beneath the front half of the back deck as you can see in the picture. There is a cranking battery in the very back left for the motor and a deep cycle for the trolling motor, bilge pump, and lights underneath the drivers seat.

Do you think I have enough weight in the back to still be safe if I have the livewell filled up with water in the front?

[zander]

I would think it would be ok. the coolers probably had a lot of ice/water/beverages in them also. of course if it flips don't sue me, but I'd do it.

[Phil Lilley]

More weight in the front can be handled by trimming the motor. Shouldn't be a problem.

[Larry Richards]

In the old days bass boats had livewells in the front of the the boats but they found that the extra weight in the front of the boat and the pounding the livewell took was to hard on the fish. That is why they moved it to the rear.That extra weight up front could cause a problem in rough weather.Just something to think about.