Livewell workings???

[smeeb]

I am in the process of installing new everything, but the hull, in a 1988 Bayliner bass boat.<br />The drains and overflows to the livewells were plumed together and this one hose then exits<br />the transom on the bottom below the water level. My question is how does the water<br />drain via the overflow fitting when your siitin still and not underway? In other words how do<br />these livewells work? I want to wire mine with a timer switch such as the one in Cabelas.<br />This web sight rocks and thanks for all the help. The Smeeb

 

[Boatist]

Re: Livewell workings???

Smeeb<br />When the water gets high enough to go out the overflow the water runs out the overflow and runs down into the water. Makes no difference if you are moving or not. Only thing that would stop this from working would be if hose connected to overflow was to go higher before heading down and out. In this case then water level would rise above the over flow until it reached same height as higest part of hose before it would drain. Your set up is very common in bass boats. I personaly do not like drain below water line. The only reason is if break a fitting water can run into boat. Many bass boats are set up that way and in many casses if you leave the drain plug out water will actually run into live well thru the drain because bottom of live well below water line. However the overflow will always be higher than water line so water runs out over flow fine.<br />Get the adjustable timer as you will find on cool days will not need to pump much water to keep fish alive but on hot day will need more water.

 

[smeeb]

Re: Livewell workings???

Hey boatist thanks for the info. Do you run a seperate line for overflow and how does the plumbing work for that? The smeeb

 

[Boatist]

Re: Livewell workings???

Smeeb<br />You can run a seperate line for overflow but for what reason. For me I do not like drilling holes in the boat so would always use same fitting for drain and overflow. If you want to run a seperate line, just do not plum together and run a seperate line for each to its own thru hull fitting. Only thing you have to do is make sure each thru hull fitting is lower than drain it is hooked to as water will not run up hill.<br /><br />Main reason many bass boat drain is below the water line is because the bottom of live well is bellow water level and since the drain must be lower than the bottom of the live well for water to run down and out the drain then the thru hull fitting must be lower than the bottom of the live well and below the water line. It works fine and most bass boats ar this way.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Livewell workings???

smeeb, mine is set up with the drain below water line, but have a seperate overflow that goes out the side. I have valves I can shut off to each well. It is pulled in one line and drains out another line.<br />When livewell gets so full it will go out overflow to side.<br />Also make sure you have plug in bottom of livewell or shut it off if you have fish in it, cause when you take off down the lake/river, the water will be sucked out of the livewell and when you get where you are going, you will have "dry" fish so to speak.