Clam shell...thru-hull...seacock, plumbing, etc.

[gran398]

Guys was going to call Bob this evening regarding his thoughts on plumbing the livewell/washdown system.

But figured we all may as well share in the discussion, so..

A single clamshell pickup will feed the livewell pump and washdown pump(THANKS Pete)

Bronze clamshell with thru-hull, bronze seacock with stainless handle (all 3/4)  then...


Builder advises to mount a new style Rule livewell pump, direct male threads, onto the seacock. States that these new pumps have one inlet, two outlets...that is, one outlet to the livewell, one to feed the washdown pump. Washdown pump to mount on the belowdecks ledge (pictured soon) behind the aft tank bulkhead.

Here's our issue/thinking. With the seacock in open position...when running...the livewell will fill, and ALL of the lines will in effect become pressurized.

What is the most effective way to isolate the two systems...individual PVC gatevalves?

The thru-hull seacock is quickly accessed through the stern hatch and easily turned "OFF" for safety. The livewell pump could be be mounted on the same bilge ledge beside the washdown pump....fed by reinforced hose from the top of the seacock.

Guess what am getting at....what is the best way to isolate the systems behind the seacock?  Most usage will be spent eating chicken.  Livewell may be used once a month.....yet need a washdown to deal with the crumbles/skin bits/grease.

Thanks SB

[seabob4]

Scott, your builder is correct in all mentioned.  Bronze scoop-type pick-up, shut-off valve on top of that, dual-port livewell on top of that...but here's where he is incorrect.  The lower port on a dual-port pump is simply a feed for a second pump.  The livewell pump itself does not come into play.  The lower port needs to feed a second washdown pump.

You can, however, use a pretty hefty pump (something like a Shur-Flo 1100 Bait Sentry) and tee off the discharge, one side feeding the washdown, the other side feeding the livewell, then simply in stall a livewell spigot that has a shut-off valve on it, like this one from T-H...

[gran398]

What you have stated is what we were thinking. But you've offered great alternative choices. Thanks!

Best idea, which is what we were looking for, was an above-deck shutoff...and even better...within the livewell itself.


Also good advice on the lower feed off the livewell pump. Completely independent of the pump above...an unencumbered feed. Go that route...no need for the "tee" after the seacock. And let's face it...water flow is funny. Less twists/turns/constrictions the better. Particularly with high-flow needs.

Another good thing on the dual outlet off the livewell pump:  livewell pumps are notorious for priming issues. Even placed directly on the bilge bottom. A self-priming washdown pump, inline behind the livewell pump...good news.

Most washdown pumps will self-prime, completely dry, to a 12 foot head. Which means everything in-line (read livewell pump) is also flooded/primed.

Thanks Bob...now have a plan

[seabob4]

Dual port Shur-flo 800 LW pump feeding a Shur-flo Pro Blaster 3.5 washdown pump...keeps the costs down...

[Circle Hooked]

We ran re plumbed two livewells on my dads boat last summer like that, works well

[LilRichard]

Or run two pickups...

[seabob4]

Or run two pickups...

While that would certainly work, the idea behind the dual port is to eliminate the need for a second "hull penetration", as ABYC likes to call them.  And one less hole in the bottom of the boat?  Not a bad idea...

[Capt. Bob]

Dual port Shur-flo 800 LW pump feeding a Shur-flo Pro Blaster 3.5 washdown pump...keeps the costs down...

Or this route.
http://www.starmarinedepot.com/Shurflo+ ... +Pump.html

Works my live well fine but you do lose the "fire hose mentality" of a dedicated wash down pump. Still, it provides plenty of pressure for washing blood, guts and scales (or chicken bones).

Have no idea how long it will last but it fits the bill perfectly on a boat used like mine. I can't understand why there aren't more of this type on the market (then again maybe there are )

[seabob4]

CB,
We used that exact same pump at PL on boats 23 and under, teeing off just as your boat is set-up.  But keeping the livewell areator head shut off should give you the full effect at the washdown spigot...

[Blue Agave]

Scotty, don't forget a strainer after that seacock.  With all that chicken that's going to be consumed, you're going to need top performance out of that washdown pump buddy.  

http://www.sherwoodpumps.com/en-us/Prod ... Strainers/

[slippery73]

You can always build a seachest if you have the room. Pumps run cooler, no priming issues, you can use standard bilge pumps.... almost all of the big boat builders use them. They seem like the way to go if you have the room.

[seabob4]

You can always build a seachest if you have the room. Pumps run cooler, no priming issues, you can use standard bilge pumps.... almost all of the big boat builders use them. They seem like the way to go if you have the room.

Slippery, I don't think I've ever seen a seachest in any boat smaller than a 50...

[gran398]

Scotty, don't forget a strainer after that seacock.  With all that chicken that's going to be consumed, you're going to need top performance out of that washdown pump buddy.  

http://www.sherwoodpumps.com/en-us/Prod ... Strainers/

Hey good thinking.

Maybe we should install twin macerators behind the scuppers

[LilRichard]

Slippery, I don't think I've ever seen a seachest in any boat smaller than a 50...

I don't think I've ever seen a seachest.  Pls explain.

[seabob4]

Slippery, I don't think I've ever seen a seachest in any boat smaller than a 50...

I don't think I've ever seen a seachest.  Pls explain.

A seachest, simply explained, is a fairly large hole in the bottom of the boat that fills a box (or "chest").  All the pumps live in this box, hence the use of bilge pumps as they are designed to be submerged and be happy.  Protruding from the sides of the box are all the t/hulls for the hoses of the various features you are feeding, be it a livewell, a washdown, a raw water sink, whatever.  Actually, I think either YF or SeaHunter (one of those big buck boys) is doing them on like 36s and 38s...