Live Well Won't Drain

[bryanredfish]

I have a 17 ft. Center Console -- love the boat; however, the livewell doesn't seem to drain as fast as it should, and it runs out all over the floor when under way. There's nothing clogging the drain tube at all. I've tried turning the flow of the water down a bit, but it still doesn't seem to fit. Anyone have suggestions? Thanks.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Live Well Won't Drain

Install a small bilge pump inline on your drain line. Flip it on and you will suck the water out and force it out the drain. Cheap and effective. Easy too, if you can get to the plumbing.

 

[bryanredfish]

Re: Live Well Won't Drain

Excellent suggestion! Yes, I can get to the plumbing, and the hose runs right next to the bilge pump. This won't have so much suction where it will pull all the live bait to the drain, will it? I use mainly live shrimp and minnows. We're saltwater folks here.<br /><br />Actually, the livewell pump is all there in the bilge, so I could probably tap into the same wiring.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Live Well Won't Drain

Bryanredfish<br />How high is Live well mounted, is it high enough above the sea water to drain and not fill?? If so then I would check all your screen and then back flush with your garden hose.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Live Well Won't Drain

Bryan, I thought you were trying to drain an empty livewell quicker than gravity would do it. Didn't consider that you had bait in the livewell. You may have to install a domed screen to keep the shrimps away from the whirlpool. <br /><br />Or it might be an effective way to chum the whole bay.

 

[93evinrude]

Re: Live Well Won't Drain

It sounds like you may also need a rubber seal placed around the opening to prevent it from escaping onto the deck while splashing around.

 

[bryanredfish]

Re: Live Well Won't Drain

Yes, the problem seems twofold. The water level remains too high, sometimes covering the spray tube, AND it splashes out from under the seat (it's a livewell with a seatcushion). There is a nice, large rim which is to keep it from splashing out, but it's not effective. I've tried back washing it, but I'll try again. The livewell is above the center of gravity.

 

[93evinrude]

Re: Live Well Won't Drain

Questions<br />1.have you followed the run of the overflow line to make sure there isn't a loop down somewhere that slows the drainage<br />2.is there enough down slope in the outlet to allow good flow<br />3.Is it possible to put in a larger overflow outlet and hose<br />4.is the overflow located on the low side or at a low point in the well(usually towards back of boat)<br />5.does it maintain the correct level in calm water when the boat is not in motion

 

[bryanredfish]

Re: Live Well Won't Drain

93evinrude:<br /><br />Thanks for your response, and help! Some of the line is rigged under the deck, but it looks like a straight shot; no kinks or bends as far as I can tell. The outlet is next the the bilge drain, right below the transom. I may look into getting a larger drain. Right now, there's a black plastic screen over it. I'll try to work with it this week. Again, thanks.<br /><br />5.does it maintain the correct level in calm water when the boat is not in motion

 

[Graywolf]

Re: Live Well Won't Drain

Does your pump run all the time, and then the well over flows? I don't run my live well all the time so I have to keep cheking it. Cabela's has a switch I am going to install this spring. Yjou flip it one way and the well runs all the time the other position the well comes on and shuts off every now and then.

 

[bryanredfish]

Re: Live Well Won't Drain

When I'm fishing (and have live bait) it's on all the time. The timer may be an option. But I think it should work the way it's designed.