Livewell pump on Seapro 235

[buzzi]

Just got a 235 WA, 2001. The livewell pump runs but doesn’t suck up water. I saw the thread from 2021 about the pumps, but you all are way ahead of me. I had a very simple Lund Fisherman for years, and I learned my way around it. This is my first foray into such a large boat … I found the pump and it’s bigger than the sump pump in my basement! I was expecting to find one of those little plastic deals where you changed the impeller with one had behind your back. I don’t know where to begin! Help!
I’ve been dumping buckets of water in the livewell. Works fine on cool days! Hot days? I’m a murderer!

BTW- while the smart guys are reading this- does the auto bilge pump switch need to be turned on when the boat is docked and left for the week, or does it just run. With my Lund I got the hose and found out for myself. Not gonna try that with this boat!

[buzzi]

After reading the 2021 thread it occurred to me to check the sea cock. It was closed. With trepidation I opened it. It still didn’t work.
At least the boat didn’t flood! Will the thru hull pickup the water when the boat is tied at a dock or must it be moving.
Of course the real question is why was the sea cock shut to begin with?
The guy I bought it from never used the livewell or the wash down- so he didn’t know if it worked or not!

[Juan]

Welcome to the forum buzzi

I've never seen or heard of a sump pump sized live well pump in one of these boats. I believe most are in the 700 to 1100 gph range and really aren't that big in size. Are you sure you aren't looking at a wash down pump? As you mentioned, the sea cocks must be open to allow water to flow to the live wells. I seldom use my live wells so I too keep the seacocks closed and the water valve inside the live well shut off so that I don't get water in the live wells and open the sea cocks and valves when I plan to use a live well. As a safety factor the sea cocks can also be shut off if you developed a leak somewhere in the plumbing to the live wells. Check inside the live well for the water shut off valve. If it is closed, the pump will run but the closed valve won't allow water into the live well.
Unless someone messed with the boat's wiring, the bilge pump will be hot wired and will operate automatically without having to leave any switches on.
The through hulls will push water into the live wells only when the boat is moving (if the seacock and valves are open). To get water into a live well when the boat is still, you'll need to run a live well pump. If your live well pump is running but not pumping, (and all valve are open) it's either dry and needs to be primed or it's possible the pump shaft is broken and the impeller isn't turning. Keep us posted on what you discover.

[AHHHH-Spray]

Welcome aboard Buzzi.

For the bilge pump, the float switch should have a little test lever so you can determine whether the switch has to be on auto for it to work or if it is hotwired and will work with the switch off. My switch has to be on auto for the pump to work unattended, unlike Juan's.

For the livewell, yours is probably similar to mine, so here's a pic of the shutoff that is located on the back of the well. Unscrew the black part a few turns and see if the water flows. If the seacock and shutoff are both open and you still don't get any water, check the hoses to make sure they're still connected and that there are no blockages.

Enjoy!

[Juan]

Jun 19, 2022 7:18:47 GMT -6 AHHHH-Spray said:

Welcome aboard Buzzi.

My switch has to be on auto for the pump to work unattended, unlike Juan's.

I guess I didn't explain very well. Mine is the same way. The bilge pump switch is a two way switch.. It has to be either in the "Auto" position or the "Manual" position. It should remain in the "Auto" position and place it in "Manual only when want the pump to run continuously. If in the "Auto" position, the bilge pump will operate when the float in the pump raises and it will operate even when your battery selector switches are in the OFF position so it will pump when the key and battery selector switches are off when the boat is unattended. The "Manual" position will only work when the battery selector switch is on. Bottom line: keep the bilge toggle switch in the "Auto" position and the pump should run when it's needed and put it in "Manual" if you're sinking.

[buzzi]

Thank you all for the quick reply. Juan, I was hyperbolizing a bit about the size of the pump. It seems to be both livewell and wash down.
I’ll check the things suggested. Good to know it won’t pick up when sitting still.