Newbie 215 Explorer Owner - Trying to figure things out (2 plumbing questions)

[dreamweaver]

I just picked up my first Aquasport yesterday.  It is a 2004 215 Explorer with a 200hp Yamaha.  I am excited, but don't know what I don't know.  I spent some time sitting in the boat last night trying to figure out what's what before I take it out on the lake and do some fishing.  I have a couple of questions, and I am sure I will have more as time goes on.

1)  I was checking the bilge pumps.  The rear one I can hear running when I flip the switch.  I assume it is working but I have little to no water in the bilge at this point so only know the switch works and the pump runs.  I cannot hear anything running when I flip the switch for the front bilge pump.  I guess my first question is, does it have a front bilge pump?  If yes, where is it located and how accessible is it?  Where is the fuse panel so I can check fuses?

2)  I have read some forums where people talk about the live wells that are in the floor.  Seems getting them drained is a common challenge.  I had some standing water in both wells, but more on the starboard side.  I flipped the switch to pump out the floor wells.  There was only one switch.  It pumped out the port side, but nothing happened on the starboard side.  I kind of expected that there would be two switches.  Should the pump be pumping out both sides?  What am I missing?  Help please.

Thanks in advance.

Don Weaver

[Capt. Bob]

Here's a little light reading to help you get started.

https://classicaquasport.com/smf/index.php?topic=8650.msg71884#msg71884

Read through the entire thread.

Here's some additional insight plus an Owners Manual of sorts. So there's no confusion, your hull is a Wellcraft model 210 Coastal that was re-badged as a 215 EX Aquasport at the plant in Bradenton Fla. Wellcraft and Aquasport hulls were produced side by side at this factory. Both builders were part of the larger Genmar Holdings.

https://classicaquasport.com/smf/index.php?topic=15394.msg150505#msg150505

Good luck.

[dreamweaver]

Thanks Capt. Bob, I appreciate you taking the time to reply to the new guy!! 

I am still just trying to understand how the fishbox on the starboard side is supposed to drain.  Is it supposed to drain with the port side?  Same switch?  Because it is not draining for some reason.  Maybe it is plugged and I just need to somehow remove the blockage. 

Anyone with a 215 Explorer, I covet your knowledge.

Also, Capt Bob, I noticed some links about people putting in drains in their fishboxes to drain them down to the bilge.  However, when I clicked on the link that had shown what people had done, it was a dead link.  Is there an updated link on what people have done?

Thanks!!

Don Weaver

[RickK]

I noticed some links about people putting in drains in their fishboxes to drain them down to the bilge.  However, when I clicked on the link that had shown what people had done, it was a dead link.  Is there an updated link on what people have done?

When we converted the site from phpbb to smf software (I think it has been 5 years now) all the main links converted or were easy to convert but that broken link is trying to link to the phpbb site and a php call.  We don't have that site anymore.
I'll hunt around and see if I can solve where it was trying to go. T race only had 343 posts to look at

EDIT: I found it, the dead link in CBs post works now.
Here is another later topic from T Race
https://classicaquasport.com/smf/index.php?topic=8958.msg75543#msg75543

[Capt. Bob]

I am still just trying to understand how the fishbox on the starboard side is supposed to drain.  Is it supposed to drain with the port side?  Same switch?  Because it is not draining for some reason.  Maybe it is plugged and I just need to somehow remove the blockage. 

Let's go with the assumption that the two boxes are connected to the one pump, via a" Y" fitting. You may have an air lock once the port side drains. Try plugging that side drain and see if the pump will pull down the starboard box. In any case, you will probably never get both boxes completely drained.

More reading.
https://classicaquasport.com/smf/index.php?topic=6602.msg46979#msg46979

https://classicaquasport.com/smf/index.php?topic=13195.msg132736#msg132736

https://classicaquasport.com/smf/index.php?topic=7995.msg62669#msg62669