Hobie Livewell V2

Anyone splurged on this livewell? Review?

I have, and the v1 as well.
They work well as designed, however a few points to know:
You cannot use wheels in scuppers while it's installed.
Pumps need to be  primed before they will fill the livewell. This can be accomplished by either pedaling forward quickly or with a water bottle or cup. I usually do the latter.
Water will empty out of the pump when it is not running, however they come with a plug you can use.
They do not drain very cleanly out the scuppers, I  always end up with a significant amount of water sloshing around  the livewell on deck.
When full they are very heavy, enough to seriously alter the handling of an outback, less so in a PA.
The newer version has a corrosion resistant switch for the pump, other than that I don't see any real difference with the old one.
Despite the way it sounds, I like mine, and often use it even without bait, as storage and for the rod holders, and love it for places like Tomales. You can keep bait lively all day when you use it properly.
Hope this helps - Al

Thank you! I was trying to decide between the V2 or the XL. for my pa14. I think I'm going to go with the V2 because of the weight issue as well as the cost difference. Think it should hold 1/2 a scoop of chovies or a few dozen minnows.

I have, and the v1 as well.
They work well as designed, however a few points to know:
You cannot use wheels in scuppers while it's installed.
Pumps need to be  primed before they will fill the livewell. This can be accomplished by either pedaling forward quickly or with a water bottle or cup. I usually do the latter.
Water will empty out of the pump when it is not running, however they come with a plug you can use.
They do not drain very cleanly out the scuppers, I  always end up with a significant amount of water sloshing around  the livewell on deck.
When full they are very heavy, enough to seriously alter the handling of an outback, less so in a PA.
The newer version has a corrosion resistant switch for the pump, other than that I don't see any real difference with the old one.
Despite the way it sounds, I like mine, and often use it even without bait, as storage and for the rod holders, and love it for places like Tomales. You can keep bait lively all day when you use it properly.
Hope this helps - Al

Thanks for the reply Al,

I appreciate the info. I’m leaning towards the V2

Anyone splurged on this livewell? Review?

Have you considered going the DIY route? Lots of write ups floating around. I built one using a dog food container and a bilge pump. I only use it for live bait in the bays, but it keeps anchovies alive all day for me.

Anyone splurged on this livewell? Review?

Have you considered going the DIY route? Lots of write ups floating around. I built one using a dog food container and a bilge pump. I only use it for live bait in the bays, but it keeps anchovies alive all day for me.

Thanks for the reply,
I have seen the diy videos. It does look like a viable route. However, I’ve been looking for options to the screw top lid, as I’d prefer a hatch type of access. I’m also making honey-do deals angling toward funding a V2