Live well fills with rain water
 

My live well fills with water each time it rains...the pump is lame and I tend to pump it out by hand each time. I don't like it to fill with rain water it is rather large and puts a lot of weight where I don't want it. It is in the aft deck. I tried to seal it with a load of silicon that didn't work and I tried to seal it with a gasket material on the hatch door and that did not work out that well. I don't think I got a thick enough gasket material but used what west marine had in stock.

I like using the big fish well and it is large and convienent but it weighs a ton when it is full. Add 135 gal of fuel and twins and you barely see the waterline in the stern...not much room for something to go wrong.

I don't like to pump it out with the pump that is in there because there always a lot of fish goop in the well and the lame 500gph airrator pump (which does not pump like a bilge pump and can not make 200gph no less 500)will get bogged down for sure when a few scales get lodged in the impeller. I replaced it aleady once this season. I was thinking of getting a kick ass masserating pump and put it on float switch of sorts next but would rather have it sealed up instead. You can't use a bildge pump because you need a hose connection not an open set up.

Anyway, do you guys have a similar problem with in-deck wells? Do you just live with the rain water collecting in the well or can it be sealed?

(this is another reason I like regulators....well is above wl....gravity drain.)

To manage your rainwater problem you can eliminate the fish goop and scales with bleach. Just pour in a mix of about 50/50 bleach and water and go home. When you return to your boat you can run it and any accumulated rainwater out through your pump. The bleach will have dissolved fish scales and goop.

Hope this helps.

Sandman, Just buy a Regulator problem solved. I sure wish I could....:)

I am thinking about doing that!! (seriously) I just got the new regulator brochure two days ago. Sales guys are calling me. I would love the 32 but I have a problem with a 32'er with outboards. Those engines will burn out quick at the cruise they claim...and it is quite pricy, and my wife is eyeballing a used 44' trawler for next season. I doubt I could talk her into a pricy 32' CC.

I will see what kind of deal I can get this winter... trade in my 23 sc for the 26FS reg. I know it would still set me back a bunch. I went for a ride on a couple last year...they are very nice in rough water. The 26 feels like a much bigger boat. Very dry. I burried the bow of the 23 sc a couple times this year...no problems but I could use a little more freeboard and bigger scuppers, the regulator has is noticably higher in the bow. The 23 sc a solid boat but a tad small for where I live and fish but it is still nice. I would never do what some of the guys do here in 18-20' crappy boats.

Next season I have a slip in OB lined up, height is no longer an issue like this year (low bridge). Time to move up.

My dream holiday would be to go to cuttyhunk on the trawler for a few days with the family and tow the regulator for fishing fun ....spanish fly eat your heart out!:happy:
:D (boat dreaming again, watch out.........)

Sandy,
get yourself one of the big rule washdown pumps to replace that wimpy little pump you have. It has a hose inlet and pumps about 2000 gallons an hour.

That 26FS would be a super sweet ride, I haven't seen them in person yet but everything I have read on them is great probably the best 26' on the market. I love the new 24FS also but they are pricing out in the low 80's rigged, a hell of alot of money for a 24' boat even if it is the best. My only shot at a Regulator would be a used 23' someday.

If you decide to sell the 23 SeaCraft, post it on here, there are alot of SC fans on here as you know....

THATS what I need!

re: selling.. I will go for the trade-in deal first..If I end up with it believe me, I will post it here.

I was *just* out at lunch today (had a new starter put in one of the engines)...there was a nasty east wind about 15-25 and I saw a couple boats outside of east chop thowing spray way up in the air...when I got out there it was 4-5' with the occasional 6' soaker.:eek5:..not blowing *that* hard but the tide was honkin! It was a hell of a ride, the first two waves I was mid air....I was by myself and actually clipped on the kill cord (rare thing for me to do). I had to slow down to just on plane keep her in the water, once I got past the point it laid down to 2-3 and it was no problem at full cruise speed. It looked pretty nice in the harbor when I left. I am now pretty wet and back at my desk. (Hard to concentrate on work after a thrill ride like that)
I bet the 26FS would eat that stuff up.

Do I understand you to have a 23Ft. Sea Craft and you are looking for "more" boat?
Are you familiar with the Crosby Hawk 29?

Contact me if you might be interested in working some kind of trade and cash.

We have a 1985 Crosby Hawk 29 Full Cabin Model with Twin Vee Berth Forward, Shower/head to Port and Galley to Stbd.
In the deck house are the control station with full suite of Electronics and to Port is a Dinette that will make into a Berth.
The cockpit is 15' X 11.5' and on Armstrong mounts are a pair of 1999 250hp Yamaha's that put her thru the water at 40 knots.
If you are interested PM me.
Chet

Sandman - that Crosby Hawk is the Cat's Nuts! SCHWEET boat!

I've yet to see a hawk in person...just on the web. They look a little like a Black Watch. 11.5' beam...that is nice and roomy. I seen a few old crosby striper's...a classic but a little dated for me.

"Custom" made in the US generally means well made but over priced. (a-la Hinckley)...I will have to look into it but I think my boat budget makes me more of a production boat guy. I have a few trips over to the cape planned later in the fall to look at boats (post derby/pre-boat shows) I'll swing by the yard and see whats happening. I could not find any used hawks on the market...that generally means that the current owners like them.

When is the Newport Show? Soon right?

The Newport Boat Show is September 11 to 14, 2003.
If you are going by New Bedford on Rte. 195 you will pass right by the Marina where my Crosby Hawk 29 is tied.
Send me a PM if you would like to look her over, take a ride, what ever.
The early Hawk 29's were built at Marthas Vineyard Shipyard and other places as well. The hulls were purchased and builders around the coast would finish them up. Crosby bought the hull molds etc from the Vineyard and they are now molded in Maine and finished by Crosby. The new finished boats are going in the high $190K to $210K depending on power and finish.
We are asking $70,000. for our Hawk, as she lies and as noted we might be looking for a 23 Sea Craft so why not work a trade/cash if we have something you might be interested in and if we might be interested in what you have.
I guess it is a 23 Ft. Sea Craft. Do you know the hull year? I am guessing from reading the Board that you are OB powered but with what on the stern? Do you have a full transom and engine mount or low transom and engine mounted to stern? Electronics?

Nor-easter,

I am a considering new and bigger Center Console rigs. Thanks for the offer to view your Hawk though. I would stop by to peak at it if I were driving to the show (just to eyeball it in person) but I will probaly take the fast-ferry to RI directly from here to the show.