Transom Mounted Livewell pump Fast water pickup?

CDory23

Hi all,

A while back I installed a 500gph transom mounted removable live well pump for my 13 gallon live bait tank. Its basically a bilge pump mounted to the transom so I can avoid drilling thru-hulls for a permanent install. I don't use it all the time so I like the fact I can remove it easily. It has always worked great but I've never had to transport bait for long distances at higher speeds. I recently killed all of my bait traveling from long beach to Catalina because the pump is useless over 10mph because the pump is out of the water. I have seen fast water pickups for thru hulls but nothing for the transom mount setup. Anybody know a solution?

san juanderer · Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2016 9:14 am Post subject:

Does your boat have trim tabs ?
Yes, then drill 1 1/8 hole thru the tab and mount the pump stem thru the hole. You will then have cruise speed water pickup.
To drill the hole use a bi-metal hole saw.
alan

CDory23 · Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2016 10:41 am Post subject:

Thanks, but I do not have trim tabs. I have twin engines with permatrims installed and have been happy with the trim I get from adjusting the motors themselves.

CDory23 · Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2016 10:42 am Post subject:

This is the setup I have flush with the bottom of the transom

http://www.jmsonline.net/transom-mnt-aerator-pump-360.htm?gclid=CjwKEAjwhILABRDwo8mlqt6ug38SJACNSq_kbnBcHbU1sgrNyLUmrPiFlCgtoju-sL7EcaTYZaPAixoC7p_w_wcB

CDory23 · Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2016 2:56 pm Post subject:

I found a great cheap solution to the issue. I'm going to mount a flanged fitting pick up tube to hang below the transom cut at angle to get suction while underway. It took a while but I found a great write up on an install which covers this type of set up in detail. Here is a link with pictures where I learned this.

http://www.carolinaskiffowner.com/showthread.php?12621-Quick-Disconnect-Live-Bait-Tank

ssobol