So many questions new at boats.Help.

[rookiex]

Ive got a 1988 skeeter 18ft 1999 125 murc or it.

1.First question-The live wells are in great shape HOWEVER,They pumps are old and maybe so is the piping.Ive got one in the back and one on the front.My question is if I have to repipe the front how do I work on them or at the matter the back?I do not hear the areator turn on when I switch it on either how do you replace them? (((If I chose to replace the whole set up accept the well itself i.e pumps areators and piping switchs ect how would I go about working on them I cant get under them to work on the piping)))))

Anyone do this before and If so what did you do or any idea?

2nd question

lights dont work?? now I dont know if it maybe the switchs are out on it they are them pull switchs I do believe.And ive only got 2 switchs on my dash One to the left and right thats it I figured one must be for the bilge and the other for the lights and if thats the case what kicks on the livewell pump?

Any help would be great I have no help right now and noone to point me in the right direction.

I got this boat for my dad he always wanted a bass boat and he has been informed he has cancer and time is short.Ive got it in having the transom rebuilt but he says he wants to help me build it back to new.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Boss Hawg]

Re: So many questions new at boats.Help.

Yours sounds identical to my 16' when i first got it
My problems were cheap aftermarket switchs that had been added
You might have better (or more) luck finding help in the Electrical section
Good luck

 

[jonesg]

Re: So many questions new at boats.Help.

watch out for plastic thru hulls beneath the deck, the weight of a hose flapping around can crack the plastic. Many a boat has flooded due to those ill thought out ideas. I would want an inspection hatch at least.
If you can't locate any hatches (under rugs etc) I'd take the sawzall and make them.

I just installed a new "bassaerator" baitwell pump on my transom, mostly because the one that was there was seized and installing another was easier than fixing the hole.
I ran the hose straight up and thru the deck in the splashwell, from there I don't know where I'll pipe it, I don't even have a baitwell !

Having a pump bringing water in, it made sense to have 2 to get rid of it should the bilge flood, I have one bilge pump on a manual switch, the second pump is on an auto float switch mounted a bit higher, both are wired directly to the house battery.
Even if the battery is disconnected from the ignition and everything turned off, the bilge pump is still live. Call me paranoid but I almost sank it once.

In the meantime, get a multimeter and start following the wires.

 

[DukesFin]

Re: So many questions new at boats.Help.

Sorry to hear about your dad. It sounds like you two will be able to spend some quality yet frustrating time together though!

For the pumps that don't work and questionable switches, it's going to be a game of cat & mouse, or hide & seek...

I like to start at the switches... You need to get "behind" the switches where the wires go in and out of them. Get a multi meter and see if power is even getting to the switches, and test them. See if power is "leaving" the switches. Obviously, if power is getting to the switches but not leaving them, you'll need new ones. If power is leaving them when switched on, you'll have to trace the wires to find where they go, checking each place the wire(s) are spliced all the way to the item they are supposed to be operating. This goes on and on until you find the fault.

Any pumps/aerators, etc, that are installed on the boat usually have a way to get to them. Sometimes, the access points seem to be provided for a 2' tall man with spaghetti for arms. Usually, they are there though. Same goes for hose connections and thru-hull fittings. You may find that a bait well/live well can be lifted out. It may involve removing screws.

If you can take pictures of all of these items and post them here, it would help a lot. It's hard to "imagine" what you are talking about and to give specific help without actually seeing it!

Good luck and post back what you find! We'll give you a hand!