Live Wells In General

[Billfo]

Winter storage- but the mind is still working...

I do not plan on using my live wells as I "catch & release". Where does the water draw INTO the live well from ? IF I leave the plugs in & turn on the pumps, will water spray INTO the live welss- or- do the pumps just circulate water that is already IN the livewells.

Hate to use for dry storage & accidently hit pump switch & spray down all our clothing & food...

Thanks, Bill

 

[Tcrum5711]

Re: Live Wells In General

On my boat, the front and read livewell has a aerator fitting that has a valve that you can close to stop the water from coming in from the pump. It should be towards the top and on the side of the plastic tub. I'd be careful of using it as dry storage though. If your boat has overflow vents, you can still possibly get water through those vents from waves and bow spray. I've been out on the lake, never hit the pump switch, had the plug in the bottom and still had a little water in the livewell. You're probably not going to get water every time, but I wouldn't trust it as "dry" storage. One of the best ways I've found to rinse them out is to put the hose in the vent and let it flow into the livewell. I don't have to jump into the boat to clean them out that way.

 

[Navy Jr.]

Re: Live Wells In General

The intake is normally near the bottom of the transom with a screen over it. Water is then pumped into the livewell in the stern and the livewell up forward. The valves inside each live well, per Tcrum's comment above, is what determines if the water actually flows into the livewell.

Some boats have a toggle switch for the livewell where you can control the pump manually or set it on automatic. When on automatic the pump will cycle on when enough water inside the livewell flows out through the overflow on the side (like on windy days when the boat is rocking a lot), and off again when the level has reach an optimum level.

From a winterizing point of view, I think you need to be concerned about any water that may be in the intake line going to the livewells. If water is in the line and freezes, it might cause the line to crack and make for leaks under the floor when the boat is put back in service.

As a newbie boater a couple of years ago, I've been taking our boat back to our dealer where they cycle antifreeze throughout the livewell system as part of their standard winterization service. -Ken