How do I access my pumps

[Ragin'Cajun]

I'm new to the boat game. I purchased a 1986 Cajun Fishing Machine. I need to see what pumps work on this thing but when I look under the access plate to pumps I have no idea what I'm looking at. It also seems like Cajun thought humans have the ability to shrink down and get in the tiny access port. Do I just look at what I think is a pump and yank it out?

 

[Grub54891]

What pump are you referring to? A bilge pump??

 

[Ragin'Cajun]

Yes bilge pump

 

[Ragin'Cajun]

I'm guess an aerator pump goes directly in livewell

 

[Grub54891]

And it's not working? A little more detail of the issues might help. A few pics would help also. If it's not working have you checked all the electrical?

 

[Ragin'Cajun]

I've got to do some testing on pumps tomorrow I'll keep you updated.

 

[fhhuber]

Pumps tend to be near the back and near the center for boats with outboards
Gets a bit more mixed up for the I/O boats..

In my bass boat the bilge pump, livewell fill, drain and recirc pumps are under the "shelf" my batteries are on.
They hid the aerator pump way back under the splashwell, on the transom and to find it I had to trace the hoses coming from the livewell.

Pumps tend to have hoses and wires attached You can always find them by following hoses or pipes. (generally hose if the boat is under 25 ft)

I found out the hard way... you CAN get too large of a pump for the livewell recirc...

Also, if replacing the bilge pump upgrade to a 750 gph if you have less, or drill for a larger outlet fitting and go above 1250 gph. The standard appx 3/4 in drain plug can let in more than 500 gph pumps (common OEM bilge pump size for under 20 ft boats) can keep up with. Forgetting the plug is one of the most common ways to "sink" (as low as it will go with its foam flotation) a boat.

 

[Silvertip]

Turn on the bilge pump switch then listen and feel the pump. If it is running you will feel and hear it. Same for aerator and livewell fill pumps. I disagree that all or even most livewell pumps are in the center of the boat. Most of those pumps are volume pumps and therefore the intakes need to be below the water line for them to prime. They cannot "lift" water if the intake is above the water line.

 

[rob123p]

I will also be having this problem as I will be picking up my first boat this upcoming Sunday, a 1986 Ebbtide bass boat. The previous owner has told me that the bilge isn't working and the livewell pumps are working intermittently and the aerator isn't working. I will keep you updated on how I go about fixing it and hopefully we can all learn from this.

 

[Ragin'Cajun]

Thanks