livewell on 20 ' 1978 MA
 

has anyone found a good pump for use in emtying the in deck live well on a 20 ' 1978 MA.?? The one on my MA constantly needs priming with a garden hose to work at all and then it is pretty poor. Also has anyone found a way to seal the cover on this livewell so rain water does not constantly fill the live well ?? The live well and those damned thru
deck water drains that continually fill the deck are the only problems I can find in an otherwise great boat.
I tried those vortek desogn plugs on the deck drains and they work some wehat but not great.
thanks for any input.
RJ

Re: livewell on 20 ' 1978 MA
 

RJ,
I hear you - I'm OK with my floor drains, but the rain water into the live well is an issue. On my 1975 20' SF the problem is with the lip on the live well being to low and as the water goes from port to starboard it flows into the live well. When I leave the boat in the water I plug the live well so rainwater doesn't get in the bilge and kill the battery running the bilge pump - it just fills the livewell and overflows out the floor drains. I'm trying to figure a redesign of the live well cover to alleviate the problem.
Caper

Re: livewell on 20 ' 1978 MA
 

http://www.classicseacraft.com/brochure/MA20.jpg

MA's don't have a baitwell in the floor. Personally I'd seal it shut with caulk if I had a slip or mooring. It's just too much of a risk with rain and the scupper design.

Re: livewell on 20 ' 1978 MA
 

appreciate the drawings but guess what ??? mine does have a baitwell in the deck right behind the seats. I spoke with the man who sold it originally back in 1978 right out of Boats Inc here in CT and it is factory original ..I think you may have the right idea in sealing it shut and will decide after haul out sometime in Nov. Thanks for the reply.

Re: livewell on 20 ' 1978 MA
 

looking closer at the drawings my MA does not have that dry storage shown under the console. The tank is forward which allows room for the baitwell aft of the tank.Thanks again.

Re: livewell on 20 ' 1978 MA
 

RJ - I wasn't aware of that was an option . . . very interesting. I have a 1978 MA too. I'd love to see some pictures - how they fit the well into the floor. Is your baitwell setup like the SF in this picture? You might be able to find some gasket/weather stripping material and a good latch to make the hatch more water resistant.

http://www.classicseacraft.com/brochure/SF20.jpg

Re: livewell on 20 ' 1978 MA
 

I would seal the one in the floor, take out the seats and add one of these.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...7/DSCN5944.jpg

Good luck,
BA

Re: livewell on 20 ' 1978 MA
 

My guess is that Barry had that put in when he replaced the fuel tank. I remember a similar conversation, but can't specifically say it was with him, or another member.

When I replaced my fuel tank I went from the 70 gallon to a 50. This freed up the space up front to reclaim as storage.

Re: livewell on 20 ' 1978 MA
 

What's the scoop on that nice leaning post/bait well??? Manuf., price, etc. It looks really nice.

Re: livewell on 20 ' 1978 MA
 

RJ0208,
Don't mean to steal the thread, but I'd like to talk to you about your SeaCraft with the 115 that you bought from Barry, but my last two emails got kicked back with a message saying there was a delivery problem with your address. Please PM me with your new contact information. Thanks.

Re: livewell on 20 ' 1978 MA
 

That leaning post is made by Andy Mckee out of Bolivia, NC. Very nice units. It has a 40-50 gallon livewell. Not sure what the price is now. Bought mine a while back. Birdsall makes a similar unit but it costs $3,500 +. Call Andy and he will be glad to quote a price. This unit is called a Junior. They also make a little larger unit called a pogey pen. Andy's number is 910-253-5948.

Re: livewell on 20 ' 1978 MA
 

Dan,, yes, I changed my e-mail a couiple of weeks ago and forgot to change my site information. New e-mail is rogerw4@cox.net.. Would be glad to discuss the boat and/or 115 Suz.
Roger

Re: livewell on 20 ' 1978 MA
 

Thanks. I’ll get an email off to you sometime tomorrow.
Regarding the in deck bait well, I have the same problem and think that some adaptation of one of Armstrong’s rectangular hatch covers (approximately 10" x 20”) might be a good solution. I was thinking about using the space for a Bennett trim tab system pump (would need a vent/air source), plus as a possible location for a wash down pump.

Re: livewell on 20 ' 1978 MA
 

Dan , I am also interested in speaking directly with you regarding those Armstrong hatches as I want to replace the hatch directly in front of the motor. I'll keep a look out for your note.
Roger

Re: livewell on 20 ' 1978 MA
 

The in-deck livewell issue of filling with rain water or water when washing down the boat is a problem with all SeaCrafts apparently. I have a 2000 SC21 and this drives me crazy. I would love to have the leaning post/above deck well that is optional on the 25- its not an option on the 21. Those Armstrong deck plates aren't the greatest by the way- the gasket lasts about 2 seasons tops then have to replace and the deck plate itself is very difficult to remove and replace unlike deck plates that have a base to screw into (this one does not- removes as one piece)

Re: livewell on 20 ' 1978 MA
 

I have a 78 MA, and it has the same configuration as the drawings, although I originally had a 70 gallon tank that took up the space up front. I bet your live well config was after market desing/modification.

I repalced the 70 gal with a 55 gallon tank, which freed up something like 24 inches. I was going to push the tank all the way foward and convert the area behind the tank into a well (i.e. make a bulkhead, seal and plum), then I changed my mind and plan to fill the void with foam to increase floatation in case "something" bad happens. I moved the tank as far foward as the coffin permits as I want to keep her from being ass heavy!

Re: livewell on 20 ' 1978 MA
 

I have an interesting situation here in that I see the man who actually sold this MA back in 1978 a couple of times a week in the shop I work at.. He owned the SeaCraft dealer here in Ct back then . . he confirms that the baitwell is factory original and the original SeaCraft manual that came with the boat shows the well also. I guess I will research as many hatch manufacturers as I can and try to find one that makes a good watertight hatch that I can modify into the current opening.Thanks for all the input .
Roger