Live well thru-hull / bilge pump thru-hull

[Jon G]

What do you guys have in the bottom of your 20's live well, the one in the floor in front of engine well? This boat came with a scoop that leads up to a ballvalve and a rule bait well pump that used to pump the water up front to the fishhold I think that the last owner set up the front fish box as a live well. The thru hull has a piece of plywood under it in the live well that looks really soft. The well also has a drain in the back of it near the bottom that leads to the bilge. I need to change this setup because some of the water that happens to get on deck ends up in the bilge this way. I want to know what you guys have for ideas on what to use for the thru hull in the live well, should I go with a seacock type valve or a plain old brass thru hull with a plug in it? I don't fish alot of live bait either. I just want a new fitting in there this winter one way or the other and something to keep any water out of the bilge, maybe a small rule attached to the fitting that drains in to the bilge to pump it over board? Also both bilge pumps currently pump out and dump in to the motor well is this alright? or should I redo them to pump overboard on each side? Thanks Jon G.

[Roland Rodriguez]

I have a 20 footer (pics posted on the site). "Rons" 20 footer.
I personally did away with the livewells, its too much weight. I have a 225 so I'm tail heavy as it is. I would be very concerned of water dumping into the motor well. By all means sea-cock everything....its Coast Guard regulation, and forget that.....it's safer.

[Jon G]

Thats what I thought about the pumps duming in to the motor well I don't understand why the did that. I'll send each one over the side instead. The more I look at the live well lid the more I don't like it any water on the deck will find its way there in a hurry only a small lip to stop it. I think an O-ringed water tight hatch is going in there and the old thruhull will get a new seacock to boot. What did you do with your livewell did you seal it up?

[Briguy]

Jon,

When you route the bilge pump exits, make sure you do them up high on the hull. You never want them low down by the waterline because god forbid, they may suck water back in during an emergency situation and also, having them exit high up helps you to hear and see them working. On my 23, the bilge pump exits are about 6" from my rubrail on the starboard and port.

[Jon G]

Thanks Briguy, I planned on putting them as high as possible one on each side. Right now they both pump right in to the engine well not a good place to put water if your trying to get rid of it.