Live Well Design

[NickW]

I’m restoring an old (1997) Cajun Bass Boat and I’m trying figure out the Live Well Design so here goes. The live well is abaft of the aft pedestal seat, it’s very large and it has three hoses hooked up to it, they are as follows.

Hose one - runs from the top of the live well down to an electric pump that runs to a -below the water line- thru hull fitting. This is the fill /aerator hose.

Hose two – runs from the bottom of the live well to a cable actuated ball valve that runs to a –below the water line- thru hull fitting. This is the drain.

Hose three – is twice as large as the other hoses and runs from the top of the live well to a –below the water line- thru hull fitting without any obstructions. This is the overflow hose.

Now I have three questions. First, am I correct with the above assumptions? Second; if so, how does hose number three release the overflow water below the water line if it does not have a pump and three, what keeps the lake water from coming into the live well through hose number three? I’m assuming it’s because the live well opening is above the water line; therefore, the below the water line lake water cannot travel up the hose? Thanks for your time.

[Fishing Rhino]

Regarding number three. Your reasoning is correct.

Regarding number two. It will only partially drain your live well (down to the waterline level of the tank), unless you are up on plane, or the boat is on the trailer out of the water. When you are not using the livewell, fully drain it, then shut off the ballcock. There is no need to tote around several pounds of water when the livewell is not in use.

[NickW]

Thanks Rhino, this has turned out to be easier than I thought, I've restored old motorcycles and cars so I though "what the hay" why not a bass boat. It does seem that the electronics have been jury rigged all over the boat, as with vehicles why can't people just leave things stock!!!!