Wilderness Thrive Bait Tank or DIY thru-scupper for OK

[Bluewater Jon]

Hi Folks,
I got a new OK Trident 13. I'm getting back into yakking at La Jolla and North County. Looking at the Wilderness Thrive livewell. Anyone have any experience with these working in OK models? Any other thru-scupper options-including DIY- out there for OK Tridents, etc? I'm looking to avoid dragging a pump over the side.

Thanks in advance,
Jon Schwartz

[GregAndrew]

Jon,

You can put a middle size Vittles Vault tank in the tankwell of OK Tridents. You can also use the tankwell scuppers for pickup and exhaust if you wish. That is how I have been running mine for years. Pickup will require a priming bulb and a short piece of hose. If you are interested, I will post up some pics?

[Bluewater Jon]

Yes that would be awesome!! Can you please post pics?

[GregAndrew]

Here you go. Here is an old pic of the basic configuration from the most active side (Orange kayak). The pump is positioned to make use of the tankwell scupper. Then a more recent shot of the tank and pump out of the kayak. I added a sleeve on the pickup tube to better attach the strainer on the end. Then cut the tube to make the strainer not extend below the bottom of the kayak. Goop works fine to attach the strainer. The foam helps keep it in place and dampens the pump vibration. Battery box and switch go on the back with a trailer connector coming out of a couple small gooped holes I drilled in the side. And finally, for the supply side, here is the priming bulb and hose I use on the same barbed fitting inside the tank as on the top back corner. Two or 3 squeezes and yank it off for stowing.


There are lots of options on the exhaust for the tank. I went with one that is very much my own design, but it gives me some added benefits. I can vary the tank level, direct the outflow through the other scupper, drain the tank easily (on the water) and keep the tank pretty water tight. If you are feeling very ambitious, I will tell you how to install that too?