Baitwell Top and Bottom.

[johnnylite]

Being a new owner I have a few questions. Has anyone had problems with their Baitwell? Mine sometimes overflows both while underway and stopped.
I checked the upper overflow tonight and then ran a hose through it. This seemed to help in the driveway but I wonder if the pump is moving too much water. I also took the time to look under the boat for possible blockage. The drain for the bottom of the tank esd full of junk. It looks like an oval brass grate.

I love this boat and this has been my only issue.
Thanks in advance for any advice.

[Genelie]

2 things...FIRST on the brtass grate, I cut out the slots ,this alows the flow of water better, and in the evnt you still have bait in the tank, and youy pull the plug....you bait will not get stuck, and flow out to the sea, or where ever you are when you pull the plug.
2ND you can adjust the flow at the VALVE inside your bait tank. Hope this helps.

[dnatzic]

Hi All,
So many fill rates, one underway (fast) and many others at rest or going slow. I always end up adjusting the fill valve when going from one to another. The pressure on the pump inlet increases while underway resulting in higher flow to the bait tank. Should take about 10 min. to top off the initial fill. It would be nice to have the flow valve above the water line but that would require some plumbing changes.
dnatzic

[k9reno]

I turn my bait well pump off when I get the desired level. I used to have a problem with water backing out the intake but John payne gave me a rubber valve he made that keeps water from going back out the intake. when the water needs a refresh i drain some off and repump. the high drain opening in the tank is to small to drain fast enough. a stand pipe to the main drain in the floor would help by draining alot faster.

[Dick@merrittmarine]

We have found that closing the valve about half way, at the thru hull fitting solves the problem. It's in the bilge and has a blue handle.


Dick

[johnnylite]

Thanks for all the answers. I will try them all.
Got to keep that bait fresh it's expensive .

[philr21]

I had the same problems until I purchased a stand pipe drain that goes into the bottom drain. The only time I have any problems now is when my grate got clogged with plastic jig bodies. I run an upgraded 800gph livewell pump.

Phil

[claydoo]

Got some live squid at Nachos this Saturday. After catching a few calicos we headed in and decided to take home the squid to freeze for next trip. Well guess what happened about nine of those squid went right down the drain!!! We got home with a tank full of squid and waited until today to empty the tank. Looking at the drain hole revealed a bronze intake grate over the opening with squid legs sticking out. Ended up using a screwdriver to open the slots up a little was eventually able to pull out the squid with needlenose pliers. The question is what if that happened with a tank full a bait on the way out to fish? What is the grate on the drain for? Tried to take it off but that rule is some tough stuff, thats how I discovered that I could open the slots a little. Can anyone think of a reason to leave the grate on?

[calicokid]

Like Genelie I also cut out the brass grate under the boat I only removed the center two bars as that left me with an opening about the same width as the drain hose diameter. Haven’t come up with a down side yet. I still wont drain bait out intentionally but if some gets away I don’t end up having to pull my hoses loose to clear it any more. A Dremmel tool with a abrasive disk worked real well for the job!

[johnnylite]

Thanks again for all the advice.
We are going out this weekend looking for fish and will try all the recomendations. Where would you get a standpipe for the drain?
This sounds like a good idea.

20 bucks a scoop is worth fixing this.
Any San Diego area folks heading out Sunday?
I'm thinking of launching at MB and heading south.