livewell on 20 ' 1978 MA

CaptRJ · #1 10-15-2006, 08:18 PM

has anyone found a good pump for use in emtying the in deck live well on a 20 ' 1978 MA.?? The one on my MA constantly needs priming with a garden hose to work at all and then it is pretty poor. Also has anyone found a way to seal the cover on this livewell so rain water does not constantly fill the live well ?? The live well and those damned thru
deck water drains that continually fill the deck are the only problems I can find in an otherwise great boat.
I tried those vortek desogn plugs on the deck drains and they work some wehat but not great.
thanks for any input.
RJ

caper · #2 10-16-2006, 01:32 PM

RJ,
I hear you - I'm OK with my floor drains, but the rain water into the live well is an issue. On my 1975 20' SF the problem is with the lip on the live well being to low and as the water goes from port to starboard it flows into the live well. When I leave the boat in the water I plug the live well so rainwater doesn't get in the bilge and kill the battery running the bilge pump - it just fills the livewell and overflows out the floor drains. I'm trying to figure a redesign of the live well cover to alleviate the problem.
Caper

Bigshrimpin · #3 10-16-2006, 01:43 PM

MA's don't have a baitwell in the floor. Personally I'd seal it shut with caulk if I had a slip or mooring. It's just too much of a risk with rain and the scupper design.

CaptRJ · #4 10-16-2006, 09:01 PM

appreciate the drawings but guess what ??? mine does have a baitwell in the deck right behind the seats. I spoke with the man who sold it originally back in 1978 right out of Boats Inc here in CT and it is factory original ..I think you may have the right idea in sealing it shut and will decide after haul out sometime in Nov. Thanks for the reply.

CaptRJ · #5 10-16-2006, 09:04 PM

looking closer at the drawings my MA does not have that dry storage shown under the console. The tank is forward which allows room for the baitwell aft of the tank.Thanks again.

Bigshrimpin · #6 10-16-2006, 10:00 PM

RJ - I wasn't aware of that was an option . . . very interesting. I have a 1978 MA too. I'd love to see some pictures - how they fit the well into the floor. Is your baitwell setup like the SF in this picture? You might be able to find some gasket/weather stripping material and a good latch to make the hatch more water resistant.

BA17 · #7 10-16-2006, 10:27 PM

I would seal the one in the floor, take out the seats and add one of these.

Good luck,
BA

RS · #8 10-16-2006, 11:43 PM

Quote:

looking closer at the drawings my MA does not have that dry storage shown under the console. The tank is forward which allows room for the baitwell aft of the tank.Thanks again.

My guess is that Barry had that put in when he replaced the fuel tank. I remember a similar conversation, but can't specifically say it was with him, or another member.

When I replaced my fuel tank I went from the 70 gallon to a 50. This freed up the space up front to reclaim as storage.

Old'sCool · #9 10-17-2006, 09:13 AM

Quote:

I would seal the one in the floor, take out the seats and add one of these.

Good luck,
BA

What's the scoop on that nice leaning post/bait well??? Manuf., price, etc. It looks really nice.

dcobbett · #10 10-17-2006, 11:14 AM

RJ0208,
Don't mean to steal the thread, but I'd like to talk to you about your SeaCraft with the 115 that you bought from Barry, but my last two emails got kicked back with a message saying there was a delivery problem with your address. Please PM me with your new contact information. Thanks.