Live well

[imported_skraps]

Bought a boat with a live well. Never seen one operate so will some kind person explane the way it operates and how to operate it.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Live well

Since you didn't indicate what type of boat you have, and since there a dozen different ways a live well can operate, I can only explain it this way:

1: On the console you should find a switch that says "Live Well". That switch turns on a pump that fills the live well.
2: The switch may be labeled "MANUAL/AUTOMATIC". In the manual position the pump runs all the time. When the tank is full, excess water simply runs out an overflow line through the side of the boat. In the automatic position the live well pump may run for 30 seconds and be off for 3 minutes and in some cases, that time may be adjustable. The idea is to set the switch to manual to fill the tank. Then switch to auto.
3. Most live wells have plug in a hole at the bottom. The plug must be installed to keep the water from running out. To drain the live well pull the plug.
4: Some live wells use a "stand pipe" that fits in the drain hole. That pipe works like the pipe in your toilet tank at home. Excess water simply runs over the top of the pipe and out the drain.
5: Some boats use a series of valves to control recirculation of the live well water. Some do not. Some use a series of valves to control filling and emptying the live well.
6. The ideal of frequent operation (aeration) of the livewell is to keep the water oxygenated so fish stay alive.

 

[imported_skraps]

Re: Live well

Thanks Silvertip for the excelent explanation of the livewell. Only thing that looks funny is the overflow comes out below the water line. Also the drain just lies in the bilge punp hole in the rear, guess it drains in the hull and then you pull the hull plug when leaving the lake.

 

[Hashi]

Re: Live well

Yes...excellent description on live wells, Silvertip.

imported_skraps...your last post stated that the drain is below water line. I've never seen this. But I believe the hose has slipped off the drain tube because it is not supposed to drain inside the hull.

 

[m&m252]

Re: Live well

dont forget to turn it off after a long day of fishing or you will kill your battery and may damage the pump. it has happen.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Live well

It is not uncommon (but very annoying) to have the drain below the water line. My boat was arranged that way and without the plug in the live well, it would always have about 4 inches of water in it. The only way to fully drain it was to pull the plug under way and insert it again when empty. I fish alone frequently and it is unwise to leave the helm while underway to unplug and plug the live well. To remedy that design flaw, I plugged the drain at the stern with a threaded plug. I then installed a "T" in the drain line. I installed another live well pump that has the inlet connected to the "T" and the output pumps over the stern. A lighted switch and buzzer were installed in a stern hatch so I no longer lug water around when not needed. When I get to the dock I hit the switch and the pump empties the live well. When the boat is layed up for the winter I pull the stern plug to drain any water that might lay in the drain line.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Live well

You got a lot of good information. I would only like to add one thing. Some boats will also have a circulation pump that is used to circulate the water and add some air to the water. You add the air by allowing the pump to suck some air on the input side of the pump.

The regular fill pump is most of the time a better idea but in a few cases may kill everything in the tank. An example your fishing with anchovies out in the cold salt water but need to run up into the fresh water to pick up some lunch. fuel or another passenger. You soon find out if you turn the pump off you bait gets no air and dies. If you leave it on bait dies form the freshwater.
If you have a circulation pump bait can stay fresh fo some time with no problem. May need to add some ice so temperature does not get too high.