New Boat Key Largo 156 - 2 questions/concers

[wvyen]

Hello

I just took my new Key Largo 156 out today and I have a couple questions.... (1998 Key Largo 156, Mercury 60 hp 2-stroke)

#1 - the boat it outfitted with 2 scuppers in the stern, it also has an automatic bilge that is located under screw in disk. While anchored today we had a good 1-2 inches of water in the floor. It didn't cover the whole boat, it shifted around as we did, it wasn't terrible, I just got sick of having we feet. Is this normal? Should the scuppers not be letting so much water in? Should the bilge be pumping it out? How does the water even get into the bilge? I opened the disk and let the water flow in there and put the bilge on manual to get rid of some of it... Is there a better, drier solution to just having water in the floor of my boat the whole time?

#2 - I turned the baitwell on....how does this thing even work? It pumps water in, but never really got full? Does it self-regulate how do I get it at a higher level and et it to stay there?

Thanks in advance from a first time boat owner!

Benny

 

[Texasmark]

Re: New Boat Key Largo 156 - 2 questions/concers

Can't help you on the scuppers. On the baitwell, look in it for an overflow hole. There is a reason for it filling to the level of the overflow. Not sure I would mess with that as if you fill it fuller, you may have more wet feet.

Mark

 

[wvyen]

Re: New Boat Key Largo 156 - 2 questions/concers

Can't help you on the scuppers. On the baitwell, look in it for an overflow hole. There is a reason for it filling to the level of the overflow. Not sure I would mess with that as if you fill it fuller, you may have more wet feet.

Mark

Texasmark, we looked all around for an overflow hole assuming it would be like a bathtub or sink, but we did not see one anywhere and could not figure out how it could continuously pump water and not overflow. The problem was not overflow though it was not filling up enough...

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: New Boat Key Largo 156 - 2 questions/concers

Some, most scuppers have flappers that work a bit like a check valve to let water out but not in. They can be made of thin rubber and maybe yours have torn off. Are there any there? They are not waterproof but help a lot. As far as the livewell goes get some pictures. Pictures of the scuppers would help to.

 

[louiefl]

Re: New Boat Key Largo 156 - 2 questions/concers

Your bilge pump is to get rid of water that unexpectedly gets below the deck and the scuppers are to get rid of any water above the deck. If the scuppers are not draining, it could be due to a heavily loaded boat or too much weight at the stern. If everyone is off the boat, will the scuppers self-drain above the deck? If so, you are probably ok as-is. On a small boat like yours, it probably doesn't take too much to bring water into the boat.

If it bothers you, get a couple plugs so the scuppers don't let water in. They are brass with a circle eye and on the other end a rubber plug. You insert into the scupper and fold the brass handle to expand the rubber plug. If you get water above deck from rain, spray, watersports, etc, you can pull the plug while underway and the water will drain on its own. Just remember to leave them out if the boat is unattended so rain will drain out.

Most livewells have a way for water to get in via a pump, and a gravity drain. On mine, there is a standpipe that is inserted into the hole in the bottom that allows water to build up to a certain level. The smaller fitting on the bottom is plumbed to the pump. Most pumps have a strainer to keep debris out of the pump - check the line between the thru hull and the pump suction side.

 

[wvyen]

Re: New Boat Key Largo 156 - 2 questions/concers

Louiefl, thanks for all the info!

overloading the stern area was most likely the issue with water in the boat, i will look into getting plugs for the scuppers. There were 3 guys over 200 lbs in the boat, 1 was at the bow, but two of us were in the back with all the gear.

for the livewell i do not have the standpipe version... mine pumps from the top and has a drain in the bottom

 

[wvyen]

Re: New Boat Key Largo 156 - 2 questions/concers

Some, most scuppers have flappers that work a bit like a check valve to let water out but not in. They can be made of thin rubber and maybe yours have torn off. Are there any there? They are not waterproof but help a lot. As far as the livewell goes get some pictures. Pictures of the scuppers would help to.

The scuppers look like a small clear cup coming off the back with a ping pong ball inside. The ball does move freely...

 

[wvyen]

Re: New Boat Key Largo 156 - 2 questions/concers

Some, most scuppers have flappers that work a bit like a check valve to let water out but not in. They can be made of thin rubber and maybe yours have torn off. Are there any there? They are not waterproof but help a lot. As far as the livewell goes get some pictures. Pictures of the scuppers would help to.

This type...

 

[wvyen]

Re: New Boat Key Largo 156 - 2 questions/concers

^^^

 

[striper2101]

Re: New Boat Key Largo 156 - 2 questions/concers

My dad had the same boat. For the scuppers, we would just insert rubber plugs into them while we were fishing and then pull them while running to drain any water. It is a pretty low transom, so water would easily accumulate. As far as the livewell, you should have the standpipe as the other poster stated. It was probably 8 inches or so high and would fit into the drain. As the water rose, it would overflow down this pipe. If you can find the exact one, you could easily make one out of PVC and a customized rubber plug.

 

[louiefl]

Re: New Boat Key Largo 156 - 2 questions/concers

Looking at your live well I wonder if there is a y valve somewhere - one direction it fills and the other it drains? On a trailer, I would fill it up with a hose and turn it on. If the water drains it has two choices either the bilge or a thru hull fitting. Check all the hoses and clamps for leaks. The only other thing I could think of is a three way switch: fill, off, and circulate. Maybe the pump or switch doesn't operate correctly. Try making a sketch of the plumbing and it might make sense.