Baitwell drains out...why?

[Gator]

Ok, I have my new 2007 215CC......love it. Caught some nice catches of Bonito off Wrightsville Beach, NC this week. On my baitwell, it fills no problemo.....but once I turn it off, it drains to a few inches; almost like the valve which allows the water in on the bottom also allows it to drain back out.....what am I missing here

[PileDriver]

The answer to this one is rather easy so I will make my first posting . Once the pump has been shut off, water will siphon back through the pump and out of the boat. In the older boats like my previous 2000 logic, the fix was to put a check valve supply line once it leaves the pump. These can be purchased at any marine supply store (West, Boatersworld etc). In the newer boats like my 2004 triumph, there is a shut off value in the livewell itself. The only problem here is that you have to get your hand and arm wet to work the valve. Hope this helps answer your question.

PileDriver

[Gator]

seems like once you turn the baitwell off, it should go down to the 'overflow' level.......
What if I replaced the ball valve w/ a one way check valve, w/ shut off option.....that way the water would only flow one direction? Do you think that would cause any damage to the baitwell pump since it'd have a little resistance to pump through the check valve; but not much.
??

[calicokid]

Piledriver is right the pump is a impeller type and once its off the water just flows backwards past the pump personally I leave my pump on as long as there is live bait on board the fin bait out here needs a constant flow of salt water
Victor

[PileDriver]

I would not advise this modification, as should any part of the pump system fail, including the raw water washdown, you would not be able to close off the system. Hence, you would have a swamped boat in no time. If you could find a check valve with a shut off option that would fit then it would work but space is rather tight so I am doubtful.

As for wondering why it drains below the overflow, it is because the inlet from the pump is at the base of the well. I have thought about this issue before and it would seem that one could modify this by adding pipe or tubing to the end thereby raising the inlet height. But honestly, I just run the pump fulltime when I have bait in there.

Originally Posted by Gator

seems like once you turn the baitwell off, it should go down to the 'overflow' level.......
What if I replaced the ball valve w/ a one way check valve, w/ shut off option.....that way the water would only flow one direction? Do you think that would cause any damage to the baitwell pump since it'd have a little resistance to pump through the check valve; but not much.
??

[MolarBoater]

Same problem with bilge pumps. If your bilge thru hull is under the waterline you will get "back siphoning" of water entering once the pump stops.

A simple "flapper" scupper type valve is an easy install and cheap. These flappers once were standard on Bay 190's side scuppers and I use one over my bilge thru hull.

Maybe installing one in the baitwell will prevent backflow.

Maybe this will help,
Good Luck, Molar

[Gator]

You guys are alot of help. I've heard of someone raising the outlet with a piece of pipe in the livewell; thus putting it above the pump level. That would work indeed. IF I have room in there, I might try that.
Thanks for the feedback. I'm learning more everyday!

[frankc]

Gator, you got the right idea. Remove the valve in the bait well and install a 3/4" pvc swing check valve and screw the valve back into the check. There is plenty of room. I also leave my baitwell on whenever I have finbait, but if you have ever shut off the bait switch without knowing you will loose (and I have) a scoop of bait within 15 minutes. So the check is a good idea just to be safe. A swing check is important because it takes less pressure to open than a spring check would.

[Gator]

thanks. I just happen to sell those.....thanks for the confirmation.

[ILLOGICAL GGC]

talk about cutting twice and measuring once, i cut a new inlet hole near the top of the live well and extended the lower inlet hose up to the new inlet i put a valve on the new outlet so i could regulate the flow to keep it from overflowing the livewell .i then ran a hose from the old inlet and teed it into the overflow line.my illogical (yes another reason the boat got it's name) reasoning was since the 01 models fuel tanks were so large that they covered the complete bottom of the livewell ,there was nowhere to put drain out the bottom,so the livewell water drained on the deck and into the bilge and i didnt want that. i figured i would tie into the drain line and empty the water thru it. the old inlet has a screw in plug that i pull and all the water dumps out .
yep , i am the guy that keeps saying water in the bilge and on the deck is not an issue ,but in this case that water was running over my fuel sending unit on the top of tank and i had to replace the original one due to it rusting away.
if i had a do over, i would have figured out a way to have put a removable extension pipe up to the top of the livewell and then be able to pull it and let the water drain back thru the pump at the end of the trip---
oh well my way works and i dont have a problem with what i did