Ayrton Oneill
Jon boats are small, flat-bottomed boats that are often used for fishing. Many jon boats are fitted with a livewell, which is a tank that holds water and keeps fish alive. Livewells can be added to jon boats, and they work by using a pump to circulate water through the tank, keeping it aerated and oxygen-rich. This water can be pumped from outside the boat and filtered to remove particulates, as well as improve taste and odour.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Aeration | Created by a spray bar |
| Standpipe capacity | Should not be exceeded by spray bar |
| Pump | Mounted through the boat under water level |
| Hose | From pump to well |
| Recirculator | Another pump in the livewell with a hose from the pump to the top sprayer |
| Temperature control | Utilizes a small refrigeration unit |
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What You'll Learn
Livewells use a pump to bring water into the boat
Some livewells also feature a skimmer that constantly sucks water at the surface and dumps it out of the boat. This helps to maintain a clean and oxygen-rich environment. Additionally, there may be an option for temperature control using a small refrigeration unit.
The livewell setup can vary depending on personal preferences and the specific requirements of the boat. For example, some setups may utilise a standard transom-mounted pump with a strainer that services both the livewell and the catchwell. Others may incorporate a bilge pump with a spray bar for aeration.
It is recommended to consult a local boat dealer to understand how simple livewells are constructed before attempting to add one to your Jon boat. This will ensure a proper understanding of the components and their functions, allowing for a more informed decision when customising your own livewell setup.
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A spray bar is used to aerate the water
The spray bar is mounted inside the livewell and is connected to a pump. The pump draws water from outside the boat and pushes it through the spray bar, which sprays the water into the livewell, creating aeration. The water is then recirculated back through the pump and spray bar to maintain a constant flow of oxygenated water.
A similar setup can be achieved by using a pump mounted through the boat underwater level, with a hose from the pump to the well, and another pump in the livewell with a hose to a top sprayer to recirculate the water. This setup ensures a constant flow of fresh, oxygenated water into the livewell, which is essential for keeping fish healthy and comfortable.
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The water is then pumped out
Jon boat livewells work by pumping water from outside the boat through a series of filters and into a tank. The water is then aerated and circulated to keep it oxygen-rich and comfortable for any fish inside.
To pump the water out, a skimmer is used to constantly suck water from the surface and dump it out of the boat. This can be controlled with a switch, allowing the user to pump out the water and then fill the livewell with fresh water.
The livewell can be set up with a standard transom-mounted pump and a strainer that goes to both the livewell and the catchwell. The pump-out is a transom pump mounted inside the livewell with a strainer, and the recirculate is a bilge pump mounted inside with a spray bar. It is important to ensure that the setup does not overrun the standpipe capacity, as this can cause the pump to overrun the drain.
Some livewells also offer temperature control through a small refrigeration unit, allowing for even more comfortable conditions for the fish.
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Livewells can be constructed with a standard transom-mounted pump
If you want to add a livewell to your Jon boat, it's worth taking a trip to your local boat dealer to look at how simple livewells are constructed. You can also find pictures of livewells online, which can help you to understand how they work.
To construct a livewell, you will need a pump mounted through the boat under the water level, a hose from the pump to the well, and another pump in the livewell with a hose from that pump to the top sprayer to use as a recirculator.
Livewells work by picking up water from outside the boat and pumping it through a couple of filters, one for particulates, and another for taste and odour. The water then flows into the tank through a circulator and aerator. A skimmer constantly sucks water at the surface and dumps it out of the boat.
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Livewells can be built with temperature control
Livewells can be added to jon boats, and there are many ways to do this. One way is to use a pump mounted through the boat under the water level, with a hose from the pump to the well. Another pump is then placed in the livewell, with a hose from that pump to a top sprayer to use as a recirculator. This setup is known as the "standpipe concept". It is important to note that the spray bar is used to create aeration, and that the setup must not overrun the standpipe capacity.
Another method is to use a standard transom-mounted pump with a strainer that goes to both the livewell and the catchwell. The pump out is a transom pump mounted inside the livewell with a strainer, and the recirculate is a bilge pump mounted inside the livewell with a spray bar. The in/out are on a double throw switch.
It is also possible to purchase a kit to add a livewell to a jon boat.
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Frequently asked questions
Jon boat livewells work by picking up water from outside the boat and pumping it through a couple of filters. The water then flows into the tank through a circulator and aerator.
The spray bar is used to create aeration.
A skimmer constantly sucks water at the surface and dumps it out of the boat.
