Forum: WHALER
  ContinuousWave
  Whaler
  Moderated Discussion Areas
  ContinuousWave: The Whaler GAM or General Area
  18 outrage bait tank / t-top

Post New Topic  Post Reply
search | FAQ | profile | register | author help

Author Topic:   18 outrage bait tank / t-top
craigm posted 07-26-2000 12:44 PM ET (US)   Profile for craigm   Send Email to craigm  
Great forum. I'm negotiating to buy a clean 87 outrage. I appreciate any input on the following:

1. I would like to add a bait tank (kodiak or pro-flow style - 25 gals or so) for So Cal fishing. Any ideas on location of tank or plumbing. I'm assuming I will need a transom mounted bait pump (no thru hull). Boat has two coolers/seats in front of splash well that could be removed but I may consider putting tank in front of console - also a cooler/seat there. Can I run tubing through tunnel?

2. I also want to add a t-top. Any hints on type, mounting, etc. Are there OEM or pre-fab t-tops for 18 outrage that may be cheaper than a full custom aluminum top?

3. Owner has wiring for tducer,etc going through drain holes - is this ok?

Thanks very much. Craig

Tom Byrum posted 07-26-2000 11:06 PM ET (US)     Profile for Tom Byrum  Send Email to Tom Byrum     
Hi Craig I got an 18 outrage with a home made 25 gallon anchovie tank. I have swamped my boat twice with it mounted on the transom and if I mount it up front the bait takes a pretty good pounding on the way out to the fish. Im leaning towards a smaller transom mounted tank maybe.
I too am interested in any input for a t-top anyone has.
I would reroute the wire over the transom. I like lots of open holes when I got a boat full of water. By the way swamping my 18 outrage is no big deal at all. Just gets your feet wet is all.
hauptjm posted 07-27-2000 04:45 PM ET (US)     Profile for hauptjm    
As far as a t-top goes, my good buddy here in New Orleans just had a custom top put on his 18. I have never heard of a pre-fab. Of course, that doesn't mean they can't be had. If you decide to go with a custom job, KNOW YOUR YARD. My guy had his entire deck removed, structural locations for mounting built up and reinforced to handle the forces of a t-top. This was no "deck mounted" operation. You can screw up a Whaler faster than you-know-what if you don't do your homework. The 18 is a fantastic craft. If you treat her right, she'll perform like a dream.
tarbaby posted 07-27-2000 05:15 PM ET (US)     Profile for tarbaby  Send Email to tarbaby     
Spend some extra money on a custom. The Pre-fab ones are cheaply made. If you do get a custom one, have them mount it to the floor and also to the center console. This will seem to tighten both and for sure keep the T top from wiggling. I saw a cool trick on a new boat, the canvas that streches across the t top was sewn as a pocket with a zipper in the rear near the rocket launchers are located. The boat that I saw had the life jackets inside. Just a thought.
David Reid posted 08-07-2000 02:46 PM ET (US)     Profile for David Reid  Send Email to David Reid     
Craig, as to the live bait issue for our '85 O/R 18', we settled on a pair of 7 gallon white plastic "paint buckets" located inside the rear splash well. Each is fitted with a BaitSaver brand 12V rotor/enclosed aeration rig and a livewell top with hatch that snaps onto the bucket. This allows us to keep both shrimp and minnows separate and healthy for a typical six to eight hour outting. We do not circulate water other than by adding a few handfuls of ice every hour or so to keep the water friendly for the bait. This rig may not meet a professional's desires but it requires no holes in the hull, it certainly wasn't expensive, and it meets our needs without excessive weight or using any of the deck space. Good luck.

Post New Topic  Post Reply
Hop to:


Contact Us | RETURN to ContinuousWave Top Page

Powered by: Ultimate Bulletin Board, Freeware Version 2000
Purchase our Licensed Version- which adds many more features!
© Infopop Corporation (formerly Madrona Park, Inc.), 1998 - 2000.