Splashed the 72 Seafari - what I learned... - Page 4

McGillicuddy · #31 11-09-2008, 07:57 PM

Hey Denny,
Thanks again... About the space between the stingers - is there a hole at the bottom of the inside stringer that drains into the bilge (like on the keelson)? I considered your battery location but my tilt/trim pump is mounted on the transom in that location and its really big... I'd like to get it off of the transom but for now it's going to stay put. A 2nd battery was in starboard locker next to the other but but when I got the new deep cycle AGM, I thought about weight distribution. I suppose that's why I chose to use the bait-well for storage and 2nd battery.

Also, I wasn't planning to use the bait-well for bait. I wanted the weight of the bait-well a little more fore. Currently it sits in front of the splash-well. I'm not really happy with that either, as it makes accessing the motor a pain if one has to do any off-shore prop changing or some other idiocy.

I notice you had put a new stainless thru-transom fitting on the bait-well. Does that serve you as a drain or is it your pump intake? I currently have a transom mount bait pump and it made me think why not use that hole for a pump and just plumb it up thru the floor to the bait tank, enabling me to move the bait tank even more forward, like somewhere over the gas tank.

Any thoughts on that? Thanks. -- Gillie

Bushwacker · #32 11-09-2008, 09:26 PM

Hi Gillie - Yea, there's a drain hole in the inner stringer. You might want to consider putting a WATERTIGHT hatch in the splash well to gain access to a lot of space in the bilge. I mounted my trim tab pump on inside of inner stringer, and fuel Racor filter is mounted on side of bait well. You can also access more space between outside of baitwell and hull . . . it's a dead end cavity where stuff rolls off back of side shelf thru a 1" gap between shelf and side of seat. I found several "lost" scupper plugs in there!

I agree with you on the weight distribution issue. I used to just keep an ice chest or tool box on port side to keep it balanced until I installed the galley seat.

The SS thru hull is the overflow for the baitwell; the original inlet/outlet was covered up by the flotation tank on the bracket. I don't have a pump! I kept the original Moesly concept which circulates water pretty well as long as you're moving. The 3/8 pvc tube in following pic is cut off at 45 degrees at the bottom. When I want to use the bait well, I just pull the plug from the overflow and shove the pvc tube down about an inch so it extends below bottom of hull. Puts out a pretty good stream of water when you're on plane.

Next pic shows the water transfer tube up thru the bracket and into bait well. I also have a 12' length of 1/2" vinyl tubing that will fit over the water pickup. It makes a great deck washdown hose when I'm on plane!

For large amounts of live bait I'd need something like you have, but this rig is real simple and works fine for shrimp and small amounts of bait.

seafari25 · #33 11-09-2008, 11:52 PM

Hey Denny, thanks for the teak tips. I also looked up the posts from Joey as Gillie suggested and now I have something to think about. The teak oil was cool, it gave me something to do but it looks like it's a thing of the past. Gillie said I'd have more time for fishing...sounds good.lol

Hey Gillie, those low branches are murder! Maybe I can borrow Finestkinds helmet now that he's going with the pipe insulation.

Brandon

The pool noodles are a good idea too.