1983 23' thruhull and plumbing for live well

[buellie21]

I have an '83 23' with the below deck livewell in the stern. I'm getting ready to put a thruhull in so I can install a pump to feed the live well and also plumb a washdown pump. The live well currently has no feed only a drain out the transom. Looking for some wisdom here; ie. where to place the thruhull, what size, pickup or no pickup, what size pump to keep stuff alive here in FL?

Also, does washdown pump need to be below waterline or can i put it above deck in the rear corner storage compartment, etc.

Any ideas or thoughs would be greatly appreciated. DB

[Old'sCool]

I ran a bronze clamshell to a seacock w/3/4 plywood (epoxy coated) w/750 gpm bait pump. The pump has a washdown pick-up. The plywood is somewhat temporary as ideally it should be glassed down.

[Capt Chuck]

The inside step would be the best location, just inside the stringer. I would recomend a bronze thru hull pick-up secured to a bronze seacock. A good water strainer / filter is also a good idea to prevent debris from getting into the pumps. Make sure you seal the tru hull good with 5200. Also taking in consideration where your trim tabs, trailer / lift bunks meet the hull!

Shurflo makes a great washdown blaster pump


The 800GPH Bait Sentry pump for the live well will keep those baits all day.



Notice the thru hull placement in the below picture on my 23'.

[Blue_Heron]

...so I can install a pump to feed the live well and also plumb a washdown pump.

I have an '83 20'. If your deck is as close to the waterline as mine, I think you're going to find that for the below deck live well you will need your pump to pump it out, not to fill it. I have one of each and never use the one that pumps water in, just the one that pumps water out. I got a PVC fitting that plugs into the drain and allows water in, but won't let it drain below the top of the tube if you're on plane. Looks like this:



The ugly aluminum box in the corner hides a float switch that turns on the pump when the level gets close to the top. It works better than it looks

Dave

[eggsuckindog]

Consider pumping it out - with a seacock or baitwell regulator you could keep it from overflowing when everybody runs to the back and manage the level better.