I've wondered the same thing with the Texas builders. My guess is that they assume fisherman value the extra storage space. And you can easily mount an aluminum rack for coolers and what not. But an insulated self bailing (out the boat not the bilge) fish box could be easily done IMO. To answer your question, and I have a skeeter with I believe a 25 gallon rear release well, I put 3 20 lbs bags of ice back there. I do not empty the ice or break it up. I leave them in the bag, and at the end of the day I'd say each back is still 75% ice.

 

My Southshore has a massive giant insulated fish box similar to the offshore boats. Drains outside the hull not to the bilge.

This sheephead/black drum day the customer opted to fish longer and clean the fish them selves. They had two 120 quart ice chests that you couldnt close. So that would have been more fish than most bay boats could keep in their one dedicated fish ice chest above deck. And certainly would have filled a livewell ice box. I have had 12 bull reds and 6 big sharks in the fish box on that boat....its just massive similar to the offshore boat coffin boxes. It is in the floor in front of the front cooler seat. You can see the outline under these fish. I have stored 4 dozen duck decoys down in there.

 

That's precisely what I'm talking about Sgrem. I love it!

My 24' hull has nothing but deck space right there. hwell:

 

Sgrem is an awesome guy and has all the cool stuff. Always willing to help and share is knowledge...

 

I thought Haynie offered insulated boxes as an option if I remember correctly.

 

I think most of the custom builders will build you an insulated fish box if you want it. I have seen a good number of boats with them either in the floor or in the back deck.

I'd say the reason you don't see it as much as you'd think is that a separate cooler offers a couple of advantages. At least to some folks. If you have to carry your catch to a cleaning table it's easier to just carry a cooler with your fish in it than to try to carry a few fish at a time up to the cleaning table or to fit some type of basket or whatever in your boat to pack them in. It's easier to get fish out of a cooler than a fish box in the floor of your boat. And it's easy to clean up a nasty cooler. Just pull it out of the boat and spray it out inside and out. When you have fish slime all over the inside of a built in cooler it takes a little more effort to wash it out.

I had an insulated livewell in the back deck of one of my boats and I loved it. Used it primarily for a fish box. I think my next boat will probably have at least one of the storage boxes insulated and set up to use as a fish box. I'll probably still use a cheap Igloo under the leaning post for day to day use. It's just cheap and easy. Easy to get my fish to the cleaning table. Easy to clean. Cheap and easy to replace when it gets worn out.

 

When i redid this boat i extended the deck and built in insulated boxes in that front deck. One was about the size of a 100qt ice chest for fish and the second was about the size of a 40 qt ice chest for drinks. I had the lids even but the boxes inside were different sizes. I loved it that there were no coolers to steal or tie down or clutter up the deck. Was no issue to clean inside. Carrying the fish of deck was always an issue but a bucket makes it easy enough. I would do it again.

My Southshore i use a basket or bucket as needed to get them to the cleaning table.

With a cooler we catch so many we would need two guys anyway.

 

Dargel includes an insulated fish box in their new V hull the Cuda.

Skeeter has one it's in the step up to the front deck

I've wondered this as well. I don't want all that deck space cluttered with a second ice chest.

 

My 24 Shearwater has one in the step going to the front deck ... the 22 bluewave classic I have does not. But I'm sure any builder would put an insulated fish box in the boat for you when ordered. But I agree with a post above I prefere to use a worn out Igloo as a fish cooler ... it is just easier to get the fish to a cleaning table and then clean out the cooler vs having a slimed up box in the boat to deal with.

 

My Bluewave 2000 classic has insulated boxes. The port rod locker isn’t insulated, but the starboard side is, both lockers drain overboard. The two center hatches are insulated, both drain overboard. Top one is where i keep my life vests and other equipment, bottom smaller one I drop ice in and we use as a fish box. Put a little stick on ruler at the top, so it’s easy to slide the fishes head into the corner and get an accurate length before tossing in the box. I just wash it out real good after a trip, and usually run the soapy sponge over it as aim cleaning up the boat. It’s not huge, but would easily keep enough fish for three or 4 people to take home.

Only picture I have that kind of shows it. My buddy was a little chilly that morning.

 

Good stuff Chase. That is a cool design feature. I saw a video of a guy throwing fish into his starboard rod locker and I think it was a Bluewave. I thought that was odd and sort of ick but now I know.

 

My BJ 224 has most of the compartments insulated, and both live wells and a dedicated fish box (36x14x12) it's been great for storing fish, ice and beer ... :biggrin: ... most times I don't even put a cooler under the leaning post ...
.

 

The new Shallow Sport Deluxe console has insulated boxes (livewells/coolers) They are not Yeti's but they will keep 30# ice fine for most of the day. I have three on my 24 Shallow Sport built in. No coolers to get stolen or what have you. I do have a place of a 65qt Yeti under the lean post, but I never take it with me. I have plenty with the ones built into the boat. It is an option however, not standard

 

My Blue Wave 2200 STL has an insulated fish box and live well.