Homemade Kayak Livewell Tutorial 

Son you have found your Niche in life. You are a great artist and teacher. I thoroughly enjoy your channel

I am an engineer and have built many machines for the past 35 years and as far as I can see you ARE an engineer and quite good at it , good design and redesign and functions perfectly ,,,Good job and yes it takes a lot of guts to drill that hole, but that's the sign of good sense knowing your design would work, the Wright Bros. didn't know for sure till they tried it !! So I subscribed and I hope fish as good as you design your boat, LOL I'll be watching

I can't say enough of how much i envy your camera work and the way you present yourself. You are just a guy living life while you can. You are such an inspiration to me and you have truly changed my life

I used to own a yacht business and put thru hulls in million dollar yachts, its always a little scary but you need to do you homework before drilling. I do recommend you have a stopper kit to match each of your pipe sizes in case something breaks you can plug it quickly. I would also add a pump out for that hatch area in case you have a break you can pump it out with a switch.

Amazing ... I absolutely love the way your brain works ... thanks so much for taking the time to explain not only the final design, but the entire process ... every time I watch one of your videos I feel that light go on in my head, saying "I GET IT!!" You know the old saying "Those who can't do, teach" ... well, you my friend are one of the very few that can do both brilliantly. Thank you, and please never stop!! Cheers!!!

I've seen hundreds of instructional videos on so many helpful things but this one is quite the prize! You sir and THE man. Thank you for your time and attention to detail- oh yeah- and the entertainment value.

Hey there Zoffinger. I thank you so much for your ingenuity. It blows me away. I am building my own live bait well and having a blast with it. My initial bummer was I bought a regular bilge pump with a bottom strainer because my thought was to use it as flood control on my kayak. my solution was to introduce water into my kayak into a water "proof" box so my pump can have water always there and pump it into my live well which has a return line as well as an overflow both of which come up just under my seat and come up around it. I plan on placing my main inlet thru hull fitting in the best location possible, perhaps low on the side of the hull instead of the bottom. Am utilizing your L-port fitting idea on diverting between hull intake and recirculation of water only during transport. Using lots of hose, but that's okay. Getting a thermometer to make sure water temp is good for my guppies. Live bait should net me much better fishing results out here in the Pacific. Thanks again for your inspiring videos.

Sir my hat is off to you. Every time I watch you'r channel you come up with something new,I run to the barn and have to copy it, as best that I can. You have done more for Kayaking than anyone, with you'r free thinking, and ability to see the mechanics of the way things work. Thank You, You are a gentleman and a scholar.

Anyone who sees this video and doesn't recognize your knowledge and expertise in what you do is kidding themselves! God has gave you great blessings, good job!

Great idea with the cooler. I've been enjoying your videos for about two years now. You really make all us guys want to quit our jobs and join you on the water. My son, two nephews, and I are planing a kayak trip to your area. We would appreciate some guidance as to what areas are good and the best time plan our trip. Your boat is really coming along and I look forward to seeing the finished product. Please keep up the great job and congratulations on all your sponsors.

I loved this video Marty! I missed this part of your channel! You have a gift for explaining things well, and I still got to see some gorgeous fish. Hope you are enjoying making them.

Marty, you have out done yourself. The filming is incredible. The content is helpful on so many levels. The waterline priming information alone has not been addressed on You Tube. The way you rounded your corners inside the tank is an important issue. Goggle eyes will go in corner and die; i.e. offshore kayak fishing. That is one sweet fishing kayak. One must contemplate a Pelican purchase. I am sure Pelican sales will be increasing,

I came for a DIY project, stayed for his knowledge and passion

Marty, you think everything through. I'm sure this causes you to toss and turn at night but I enjoy your ingenuity.

Once again, I admire your problem-solving skills as well as your workmanship. Very impressive system, well done indeed!

Good thing I waited for a guy with more balls and time to figure this out. Thanks, I learned a lot!

Just when I thought Marty couldn't get any better,Marty does it again.

Hey Marty…great job…check out a fitting ( valve ) called an "anti-syphon" valve or "flapper" valve…placing one of these valves between your intake scupper ( hull fitting ) will allow the water to enter towards the impeller but it will not allow the water to drain back to outside water level in the pick-up part of the system…it traps water between the pump impeller and the through hull fitting making the actual height of the pump less to unimportant…it has the ability to quickly prime itself so long as the water is trapped there. The only concern I have would be sticks, twigs or flotsam trying to foul the inside flapper valve…may have to screen the intake through hull fitting to guard against that…but they will flush out easy enough. Another thing about those pvc pipes and hoses….if you will pack them tight with sand and tape them on both ends you will be able to heat them with a torch and bend them without the old familiar 'collapsing' …try it out and see how the sand stops the inside diameter of the tube from doing that…If you ever noticed the tight tubing bend radius on a Harley Davidson 'V-Rod' motorcycle (I know your eye would notice this) well…thats how Harley was able to create this unique frame when they were in the experimental stages of that V-Rod build. If you learn this technique you will be able to use much less stock PVC type fittings and save an enormous amount of space…just be patient with your pipes and tubes and let them warm up gradually or as you know…they will look like burnt marshmallows! I like to preheat them in an old convection oven I no longer use for food preparation…when they become pliable, bend to desired angle and immerse them in a bucket of cool water…BINGO!!!…YOU HAVE A TIGHT RADIUS PIPE OR TUBE AND DIDN'T HAVE TO USE FITTINGS THAT USE UP SPACE. BEST 'O' LUCK BUD…charlie…"catch me a big red and throw him on the BarBQ!"

I enjoyed your video, and never plan on having a kayak, and I do enjoy watching you fish... I think pelican should do a zoffinger model with all your neat designs!

I'm about to build a livewell myself. I'm glad I saw your video first, because it completely changes everything! I'm definitely going more your route, similarly but different...

The Mensa hat tells the whole story. Brilliant!

This is your best video yet! Deserves to be up there with your poor man's fishing kayak. Excellent design, great engineering, solid workmanship, and even an entertaining and well thought out video. Hats off, buddy.

next. how to put a toilet in a kayek

I agree with Tim LeDoux! Fantastic job demonstrating the live well build! Looking forward to future videos!

The ultimate kayak live well. Genius design!

A great build and easy to modify for different yaks. Glad to see you wearing a PFD. With your new sponsor you could "build" kayaks to different levels, barebones to max, Freshwater, etc. A lot of potential there for you.

There are no words to describe how much I love your videos:)

This was by far your best video to date. Excellent storytelling, incredible teaching content - nice work. And yes, I'd think that drilling holes in the bottom of your kayak kinda feels like the first time you tried to put contacts in your eyes. Just so unnatural and painful! :)

Marty, I have the feeling that you are going to stumble on to something that will make you a very, very wealthy man. Not that you're not a wealthy man already. Very inspirational channel. Thank you for sharing all of your effort. ~J~

this should be taught in schools and universities.... I salute u zoffinger

U sir are a genius. I really need 2 hit the books 2 learn this type of ingenuity.

You have balls I could never put any holes in a kayak that expensive

I really enjoyed this video, not to people teach you how to build something then put it to the test to see if it was worth the effort. Keep up the awesome work can't wait for your next one.

Spectacular!!! I have all winter to get my rig ready with a live well. Thanks for the videos and the great ideas!

thank you Mr.Zoffinger I'm a 12year old boy who like to kayak fis and your the reason I started kayak fishing thanks

Fantastic idea, engineering and fabrication ! I knew you could do it Marty, enjoy. Necessity is the mother of invention or so they say, Tight lines Marty !

This is some fantastic work you did...congratulations to you and your hard work, you are a natural at being creative!!!

Great work. Listening to you in 2X play speed is hilarious

This is absolutely brilliant, never seen anything like this before. I am going to try and build this design myself. Well done sir.

Good job man, Ive been searching for kayak live well ideas, you showed diagrams and explained your system in depth in my language, thanks

This is the kind of mod I have been looking for. Now I just have to find the courage to do this to my 2015 hobie outback. I think this would work well for it. Thanks Marty!

wow seeing the things you have done with your kayak has made me look for a kayak of my own! Tanks for taking the time in making your video or videos. Sincerely Nick R. of Gonzales CA.

hey man I love your videos an I live in the Tampa area but I never really get out an I love to fish an this video showed me how easy it is to keep fish alive in a live well

I like how you said you didn't understand newton's law; all while wearing a MENSA cap. I think this is a genius idea! great videos keep them coming!

I've just found your channel for the first time, so far I've enjoyed the videos I've seen. I've been trying to figure out how to do something like this with a Stealth fiber glass kayak, they have a very different layout to the plastic kayaks you guys use. Usually we use a small "torpedo" livewell that we keep in the water but a propper big one would be very cool.

This is was one of the best builds I have ever seen for a kayak. Keep up the good work I love your channel.

Thanks for another fine video. Your channel is one of my favorite subscriptions on RU-vid.

great idea for small boats as well. I really like your vids, even though I am not a kayaker. I love boats and fishing though. Just an idea, on yachts we tend to double clamp all hoses, especially with hoses that come from through hulls and especially if below the waterline. It may save you from that sinking feeling some time.

You are a genius man. I hope one day you will get to design your own kayak.

engineer quality what more needs to be said.excellent video marty.. keep them coming and ill keep watching

Indeed, Centrifugal pumps will not pump air, positive displacement (piston style) pumps will. Fire pumpers are Centrifugal pumps, but also come with a primer pump (piston style) that will lift water and air when drafting water or if the pump has lost it's prime. Nice channel !

you are a true genius Marty you need to ell these a lot of people will buy them

Thanks Marty! This is great. You have inspired me to drill holes in the bottom of my yak with no fear. I have all the parts. Just waiting on my tube of 5200 to be delivered to finish my install. I'm going to put up a video of it when I'm done. Thank you again.

I don't fish , i dont like fishing. But i certainly enjoy your videos. Looking forward to your next uploads.

Simply the best, Marty Zoffinger ,keep them coming

Man, That is awesome! I think i would use your first little live well idea first though. Just dont have the time for all this. Thanks for the video as always brother! Tight lines!

you may not be a physicist but you're pretty damn good builder and that's coming from a builder

Mixing voltages isn't my first choice on anything, but can pick up a voltage regulator 2 slow pump. Making the nozzle smaller might just be making pump run harder. Love the DYI approach 2 optimizing your toys. Thx

Good diagrams Marty. I like how you made the round corners.

Awesome! I guess I'm a NERD for this sort of stuff. I'm off and running on my kayak! hopefully I will be posting some videos of my fishing adventures in and around Detroit waterways. THANK YOU!

Great video, and a overengeneered livewell, this seem to work the greatest possible. You shoud make a patent out of it. A lots of people woud pay to have one of this livewell. YOu are a great person and make great videos, thanks for sharing your good times with us!

really great info have built my own on larger boats and this is spot on for a kayak .esp like how u made the round corners out of plastic bucket!! round no corners best for fish

So glad your back doing what you do best! Great Video........

This is a awesome DIY video. I like the quality of your edits. Keep up the good work!

Sweet dude I don't have kayaks but I like how you did all your work

Glad to see You in a pfd. Awesome content. I’ve been binging on it.

I love your work so much and have almost watched all your videos , you have inspired me to start with diy projects and I love them .... Thank you and have good luck with your boat 😉

Put a V-T2 Livewell Ventilation System in the top! Then it will be perfect! Kudos to your ingenuity!

This just amazed me. Nice job Marty 👍🏼love your videos a lot, tight lines

Yeah that was well worth the effort. I'm surprised there's not some kit you can buy that comes with everything needed. I bet an aquarium pump would work good too and keep all the attachments small. Impressive video for sure :)

best tutorial ever. I can tell you spent alot of time doing this video. The planning and ingenuity is great. you don't have to be a "physicist" to be ingenious. You've done more on this design than most learn in engineering school. Thanks for sharing a great solution. By the way, how did you do the water flow demo on the diagrams?

Great video Marty! Your videos are always very informative and awesome. Keep it up! Tight lines

Your animations were on point! Strong work

great idea, and great engineering skill Marty keep up the good work.

Nothing beats live bait!

Awesome video! I see you out there all the time!

Awesome. Back to fearlessly mod'ing the kayak. How do you not flinch putting a drill to a new hull? That was not even my hull, and I shivered a little. Very well done.

I love these videos were you build things for your kayak

Wow Marty another great tutorial...sure glad you are easy to find here on RU-vid ;o) Thanks again...

Love the PFD, Marty. Thinking about getting one of the West Marine ones. Thanks for the video!!

Marty. Great Information share.. I do have a kayak but, i don't have a live well ..I now will consider one base on your info.

That live well is so cool

Excited to see the next kayak build love your videos keep doin what you're doin

I actually jumped when the dog got in view at 8:58

I used a Vittle Vault.......... GREAT JOB FOR WHAT YOU NEEDED !!

I will definitely be referring to this video when I eventually make my livewell. Awesome video!

great job on your livewell & video. you explained everything so well and told me everything I need to know to make one work, but I don't have the balls to install the works internally. I'm surprise though you didn't mention the gal. of your well. I fish offshore so I need at less 5 gals.

Good job ... you make Bernoulli proud!

Just so cool. Awesome work Marty!

Awesome! Thanks for all the great videos.

Marty, I was wondering what the three way valve was for until you showed the recirculating part. That is pure genius. In the future if you need plumbing supplies try Ferguson or HD Supply. Pretty sure Pelican is happy with their investment.

Thank you so much for sharing this video....I am not in kayak fishing but my boat is quite small but still mutch bigger then kayak, for a long time I am thinking obout makeing a liwewell thanks to your expirience I will not make SHIT... Best regards from Croatia... and yes we know obout you even here...keep up the good work and... ROGI RIBARU!

I really appreciate this video because I'm wanting to put one on my boat and you have given me a lot of good ideas so thank you very much really informative video

Absolutely Brilliant! Thanks for sharing your knowledge, I really like the way you think outside the box.

Coolest livewell I've ever seen.

I love fishing but from a kayak the game changes and your kayak video make me want to work on my future beach 126

My prescador perception pro 100 kayak has pre made holes that I plan to take advantage of when I build my livewell.

awesome build buddy.

I love this idea, itd be such a better upgrade from just using the old tub my casting net came in that i drilled holes in and tied to the back of my kayak with paracord and pulled through the water lol

Love it! Thanks for describing the build in so much detail. I feel inspired.