Turning Hatch into Livewell

[flatsfisher772]

I have a 2000 Hewes Bayfisher and I’d like to turn the rear hatch into a plumbed livewell/release well. Has anyone done this and can give some advice?
 

I was thinking I could drill through the side and run the overflow tube into the rear splash well just like the main livewell. Then for incoming water just add a T to the current setup. 
 

Ant insight would be greatly appreciated! 

[fin-addict]

Add a shutoff after the t to the well. May need larger cap pump. 

[SouthernWake]

One other thing to take into account is drainage, but like the fill you could run a T off the existing livewell drain line and drill a hole in the bottom of the box.

I would also change out the latch to a compression latch to keep the water from bouncing the lid open with the larger well.

[Donh]

Big compartment. Lots of extra weight. No concerns?

dh

[60hertz]

I also have a 2000 Bayfisher (18’) ...mine already has a live well there. It is plumbed and the drain is on the bottom of the boat. It will also fill with a few inches of water when the plug is pullled and the boat it at rest. 
 

I’ve only had the boat for a few months. I don’t use it for a live well, instead I use it as a cooler.  It will hold about 40 pounds of ice, a weekend’s worth of drinks and food. It does an OK job as a cooler without having to use the Yeti, which is nice.

so, I’d say the additional weight isn’t going to be a problem.