Question - Live well in a 1999, not a classic hull
 

Was looking at a 23 Regulator at a local marina. Boat was in horrible shape. Yard manager says to me there's a 23 Seacraft there with a 225 Opti and the owner is thinking about selling it. It was in decent shape. Based on the HIN I believe it is a 1999 model.

We called the owner. He is willing to sell it. He is going to come up with a price and call me over weekend.

Owner tells me he had it for two years, bought it from someone in Florida. He does not like it because the live well is always full of water....rain water fills it up. Just at dock it will fill to sea level, etc.... He also is having electrical issues. The wiring looks like hell. It will need to be rewired bow to stern. He also does not like the plastic through hulls.

Is there something wrong with this live well? Is it not plumbed correctly? Top not seated correctly?

Thanks,

Scott

Live wells under the deck has always been a PITA as well as Fish Boxes.

Either one (being below the deck) will fill to the waterline UNLESS you config it with a pump/macerator to get out the. Seacocks and switch valves etc are required. (see below drawing) also overflow and a watertight hatch needs to be in the workings.

I would dump the below livewell thought and put in a watertight hatch (Armstrong) and turn it into a storage locker of some sort. A portable type livewell might be your top consideration. There are many above / portable wells available for your consideration.

Here is a link to Armstong ----------------> http://www.armstrongnautical.com/dckplates.htm

Thank you Capt.

Doing the wiring might be a real PIA...that being said, it was one of the most "fun" projects when I did my boat. You now are in total command of your electrical system.

About the live well plumbing (in deck, not the transom)...There are many brands that have in deck live wells. Is this an issue for all of them or is this inherent to SC? Do all fill with rain water and do all fill with raw water up to sea level? there has to be a way to re-plumb it better. Not sure about sealing from elements.

Think some more please.

sealing an in-deck hatch from the elements without a huge hassle?
http://www.auburn-mfg.com/literature...s/SNS300AR.pdf
Hint: put it on the hatch, not on the deck.

I have a 2003 21' Seacraft and I am pretty sure my live well is very similar to yours. I had the same problem with rain or wash water filling it. I purchased an in deck water tight hatch lid and installed it in the center of the existing lid. I completely sealed the existing lid to make it water tight. This not only made it water tight but also it now is a pressurized live well which helps with keeping the bait alive. Another way water will get in is thru the overflow drain when the boat is at rest in the water. On my boat the drain exits the boat slightly below water level and sea water will seep back in as the boat is at rest. I purchased a simple drain plug at a plumbing store like you would use on a bath tub drain. I think it is 1 1/2". I keep it plugged unless using the livewell. Hope this helps and if you have any questions let me know.

Thanks folks. I fish primarily live bait. A well functioning live well system is paramount. I do not care how well the SC may ride. If the LW system doesn't work well, or cannot be rectified, I may walk from the sale.

Looking to see how Regulator and Contender plumb their in deck wells and then I can see if I can upgrade this one.

Please keep ideas coming.

If you're a big live bait person I would have the live well above deck, period. Reaching down below your feet to get bait is a pain and the safety factor of a hatch accidentally left open on the floor is way above being a pain!

That is an option, I need to see if there is room above the fuel tank to plumb lines for an above deck live well behind/incorporated into leaning post.

Scott, I would fish with an above deck live well. I fished a friends newer 21' model which I believe has the same well as the 23. It was a terrible bait well that we never used. Instead we made a well that could either go in front of the console (21' model has a different console than the 23' allowing for this), or behind the console. I think his motor was mounted too low, or maybe the 21' just never rode quite right, but the boat rode better with the extra weight behind the console. The boat had a tendency to bow steer and the extra transom weight lifted the bow out of the seas a little more. Either way, I would plan on installing your own bait well if you want to have fresh bait (that is if you fish larger baits like macs and pogies).

Cut out the in deck well and all will be revealed.

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/g...ideopen156.jpg

You have room around the tank and my 20 loves the weight there.

Thanks

Welly.

I have a '98 23', the in deck livewell has a ball value in the bilge that is designed to let water flow into the well without a pump. If that's left open it will fill the well. Also the gutters on the indeck livewell aren't tall enough and will allow rainwater to enter. I don't find it to be a huge deal, just turn the pump on and empty it. I use the indeck well for bulk bait storage and transfer to the gunnel livewell as needed. I wouldn't consider it a deal breaker. I'm sure some gasket material could be added to seal from rain water and still use the livewell as intended.

Dave