External livewell pump vs internal?

sublauxation

Lieutenant
Joined
Oct 13, 2008
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1,317
I'm adding a livewell to my boat and have been debating whether to use an internal pump with a hole through the bottom of the transom or an external mounted pump and put a through hull fitting above the water line. Any real disadvantages aside from looking lousy? I have this fear of my line breaking between the pump and the livewell, and the idea of sinking sucks! Will water flow through the pump if it's not turned on and that line cracks? Is this just an irrational fear? The internal pumps usually have a metal filter on the outside. If needed is that inlet a standard size where you can just take off that filter and put in a plug? Eithe way, what is the best line to use between the pump and livewell?
Thanks!
 

Watermann

Starmada Splash of the Year 2014
Joined
Jan 12, 2013
Messages
13,822
Thousands of boats have aerator lines in them. I've never had an issue with the feed line in my boat just the through the hull for the drain once got struck and broke off. You could always keep a spare bilge plug on board that you could put in the intake hole if something ever happened. Personally I wouldn't worry about it and just do a good job installing the livewell system.
 

sublauxation

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Oct 13, 2008
Messages
1,317
I hear you there but I have a fair amount of Irish blood and therefore Murphy's Law tends to follow me closely!
 
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