1998 23 SeaCraft Deck Livewell.

jkbuilding · #1 06-15-2009, 10:34 AM

Just purchased a 1998 23 Seacraft. The previous owner had sealed up the deck livewell. When I opened up the lid, there are two through hull fittings with rubber plugs. It seems as though there was something else originally attached to those through hull fiitings. Anyone know what they were for...Seems silly and extremely dangerous. One of the soft rubber plugs was actually seaping

John

eggsuckindog · #2 06-15-2009, 01:22 PM

Just a guess but an inflow and drain

thedog · #3 06-15-2009, 03:25 PM

I have the same year seacraft 23, the two fittings in the livewell , one is for a fill, port side near the top. one is on the bottom center in the aft and is for the livewell drain,my lower drain is pump driven to empty the livewell when not in use, there is one more on the top starboard side which is the drain when the livewell is in use and drains out of the transom.
if all the previous owner did was plug these holes with rubber plugs, be aware that the livewell drain (bottom center) runs to discharge on the starboard side near the stern, this does dip below water in normal usage in my boat, this causes the hose to fill with water

jkbuilding · #4 06-15-2009, 05:59 PM

Thanks, I have all of those fittings that you were refering too as well. I am familiar with how they work. There are two additional through hull(through the bottom of the boat)1 1/2 inch fittings that sit in the angled bottom on both port and starboard sides. No one seems to know what these things were used for. If I could figure out how to send a picture I would

By the way, does your boat deck sit level in the water. I have a Johnson 225 outboard. Every time I try to clean the boat the water just sits on the deck. I have resorted to filling my 94 quart cooler with water and leaving it against the transom. Other than a heavier engine or twins, any suggestions?

bigtahuna · #5 06-15-2009, 06:35 PM

I also have a '98 and there are no through hull fittings in the livewell. Someone at some time might have reconfigured the livewell. I have one thru hull fitting with a seacock in the bilge area that serves two pumps, one for transom livewell and raw water washdown and one to fill the deck livewell. As far as draining the deck, I have no problem with that. I have a 225 Opti on mine. Check your bow bilge area and make sure the drain pipe is not clogged and holding water, just a thought.
Cheers
Dave

jkbuilding · #6 06-16-2009, 07:46 PM

Dave,

I'm not sure that my previous reply went through. The bow bilge access was the first thing I checked. It's dry. Not sure what configuration would have been installed in those through hull fittings. There are no strainers under the hull. It's just weird.

bigtahuna · #7 06-17-2009, 09:31 AM

Their is no telling what they were thinking. If they are close to the keel he may have been trying to keep water from collecting in it while it was out of the water, or maybe he thought it would work as a flow through to the overflow when in the water. Who knows. That is the one thing I hate about that baitwell, any water that is washed down the deck will sit in that recess and make a mess. The raised lip under the hatch isn't tall enough to keep the well from filling up with rain water and it is impossible to keep the gutter area clean and free of green slime, you'll see why he sealed it up. I've had mine fill to overflowing onto the deck from hard rain in just over a weeks time. I've been trying to come up with a drain system for around that recess. I'm debating wether to just drill a hole in each rear corner and let it drain into the bilge, I keep my boat on the trailer with the plug out so the water would just drain through. I would remove the thruhulls and repair the holes on yours if I were you.

thedog · #8 06-17-2009, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Thanks, I have all of those fittings that you were refering too as well. I am familiar with how they work. There are two additional through hull(through the bottom of the boat)1 1/2 inch fittings that sit in the angled bottom on both port and starboard sides. No one seems to know what these things were used for. If I could figure out how to send a picture I would

By the way, does your boat deck sit level in the water. I have a Johnson 225 outboard. Every time I try to clean the boat the water just sits on the deck. I have resorted to filling my 94 quart cooler with water and leaving it against the transom. Other than a heavier engine or twins, any suggestions?

I have twins on mine and when you stand in either back corner water comes in thru scuppers and bilge thru hole exhaust is below water. just fixed that with a stainless steel 180 to create a loop above waterline about 10"
now no more water in bilge,
another thought and I was considering this, the previous owner may have been making a sea chest out of the in deck livewell and moving all the pumps into the livewell for easier access and reliability of thru hole fittings
if all the pumps and thru holes are in the livewell, you should not sink if a thru hole fitting gives way. with a good quality water tight hatch on top of the livewell, it would make pump maintenance much easier

bigtahuna · #9 06-17-2009, 06:37 PM

jk
I taped my ears back to my head to keep from getting stuck.

Mine dosen't have a macerator, just a baitwell pump connected to the bottom center of the livewell the strainer is on the inside of the well. My thruhull seacock is in the bilge to starboard, low near the keel. My boat is at the marina or I'd take some photos, maybe this weekend. I'm in Maryland, boat on Cheasapeake Bay and Atlantic out of Ocean City MD and Wachepregue VA. How about you?
Dave

jkbuilding · #10 06-17-2009, 08:00 PM

That's hilareous! I'm affraid my head is going to swell up like a balloon while in that position for so long. By the way I was told to add a second bilge pump. Do you have one?

I have my boat in Cape May NJ. Easier to email pictures to john@jkbuilding.net

JK