Fishwells/Self Priming Pump

Play'N Hooky · 01-06-2009, 07:58 PM

My boat (Wellcraft 23 WA) has two fishwells in the cockpit area which seem to constantly stay full of water. The only way to get the water out is to either hand bail it or use a self-priming pump due to the fact that the drains on the fishwells do not gravity feed to the bilge or to the outside of the hull. I assume that they were designed this wayto maintain the auto-bailingfeatures of the boat.

The problem is that I have been unable to find a pump that will work reliably to evacuate the water. When I bought the boat used it had a Jabsco Macerator type pump installed for this application but I assume that this was not the original design. That pump was in pretty bad shape and would not work. Ireplaced it with aself-priming diaphram pump but it failed after about 6 months dispite the assurance of the salesman at a popular marinechain store in our area that it was designed forthis application.

I went back to using amacerator pump that I scavanged from anotherproject and it worked fine as long as I manually freed the impeller after it had sat for more than about 24 hours without being used (there is a slotin the shaft on themotor end of the pump so that you can do this using a screwdriver).The problem is that it draws about 20 amps at start-up andif it binds at all it blows the fuse. The circuit is only rated for 25 amps so I can't go any higher on the fuse.

I have been shoppng around for self priming pumps but there does not seem to be very many options. It could be that I am just not looking in the right place or am not asking the right questions.I was wondering if anyone here could recommend a reliable marine grade self-priming pump that wouldwork for this application.

Thanks in advance for any help.

wirebiter · 01-06-2009, 08:17 PM

I have a 98 Trophy with fishboxes that are prone to fill due to self bailing deck. I put a Jabsco maceration pump in for them last year. I bought it new from one of those big boat stores for around $120 or $130. I have had no problems since. It pumps everytime, and if I have a bunch of fish scales it is no problem. You said you have had used pumps. Maybe a new one will work better. Its a bit pricey, but I think it is worth it. Good luck.

jim t · 01-06-2009, 08:58 PM

Whatever you do... NEVER, EVER drain a fishbox into the bilge. It'll stink to high heaven the first time it gets warm.

Jim

Not MY mistake, but a good buddy did it a while ago.

Play'N Hooky · 01-06-2009, 11:41 PM

Quote:

jim t (1/6/2009)Whatever you do... NEVER, EVER drain a fishbox into the bilge. It'll stink to high heaven the first time it gets warm.

Good point!The boxesreek bad enough as it is when the water is left standing in them for just a few hours.:sick

01-06-2009, 07:58 PM	#1
Play'N Hooky Senior Member Grouper Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Andalusia, Alabama Posts: 947	Fishwells/Self Priming Pump My boat (Wellcraft 23 WA) has two fishwells in the cockpit area which seem to constantly stay full of water. The only way to get the water out is to either hand bail it or use a self-priming pump due to the fact that the drains on the fishwells do not gravity feed to the bilge or to the outside of the hull. I assume that they were designed this wayto maintain the auto-bailingfeatures of the boat. The problem is that I have been unable to find a pump that will work reliably to evacuate the water. When I bought the boat used it had a Jabsco Macerator type pump installed for this application but I assume that this was not the original design. That pump was in pretty bad shape and would not work. Ireplaced it with aself-priming diaphram pump but it failed after about 6 months dispite the assurance of the salesman at a popular marinechain store in our area that it was designed forthis application. I went back to using amacerator pump that I scavanged from anotherproject and it worked fine as long as I manually freed the impeller after it had sat for more than about 24 hours without being used (there is a slotin the shaft on themotor end of the pump so that you can do this using a screwdriver).The problem is that it draws about 20 amps at start-up andif it binds at all it blows the fuse. The circuit is only rated for 25 amps so I can't go any higher on the fuse. I have been shoppng around for self priming pumps but there does not seem to be very many options. It could be that I am just not looking in the right place or am not asking the right questions.I was wondering if anyone here could recommend a reliable marine grade self-priming pump that wouldwork for this application. Thanks in advance for any help.

01-06-2009, 08:17 PM	#2
wirebiter Senior Member Trigger Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Pensacola, FL Posts: 333	RE: Fishwells/Self Priming Pump I have a 98 Trophy with fishboxes that are prone to fill due to self bailing deck. I put a Jabsco maceration pump in for them last year. I bought it new from one of those big boat stores for around $120 or $130. I have had no problems since. It pumps everytime, and if I have a bunch of fish scales it is no problem. You said you have had used pumps. Maybe a new one will work better. Its a bit pricey, but I think it is worth it. Good luck.

01-06-2009, 08:58 PM	#3
jim t Neptune calls me "Daddy" Blue Marlin Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 5,224	RE: Fishwells/Self Priming Pump Whatever you do... NEVER, EVER drain a fishbox into the bilge. It'll stink to high heaven the first time it gets warm. Jim Not MY mistake, but a good buddy did it a while ago. __________________ GO GATORS!!!

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