Front livewell pump air lock problem

[David Stone]

Thanks in advance for your help. I have an older Action Craft 18' flats boat with dual (front and rear) livewells that use a lever operating cables similar to older Ranger bass boats. At the rear of the boat, below the water line I have a drain plug and 4 live well drain or fill holes. Inside the bilge area are the bilge pump, and two livewell pumps connected to separate hoses which run from the rear intake holes to the appropriate pump and then a hose running from each pump to the designated front or rear livewell (technically the rear is a baitwell and the front can double as a ice chest). Because this flats boat has a very shallow draft the front well is often above the water line, thus the necessity of having a pump to get water into the well, otherwise it would be dry all the time.

I understand the lever/cable operating system with the fill/empty flapper system. My rear well seldom has a problem filling with the pump on or off, although I occasionally will get an air lock and have to force water in by putting the boat in reverse. However, I seem to always have an air lock with the front pump. And need some help correcting this problem.

Again, the pumps work and the hoses are free of any blockages. I can supply water from a garden hose and pump water all day but not when I am out on the flats. The pump intake is below the water line, the pump exit hose may or may not be below the water line as it sits on top of the pump which is lying on it's side. It is pumping water up-hill as it get to the intake of the front livewell.

Sorry to be long winded but I am trying to describe my problem. The only thing that I can think of is an habitual air lock somewhere between the pump exit and the below the water line intake hose. Any solutions??? Should I try to have the exit hose rotated so that it is not on top and possible above the water line?? The rear pump is just behind the front pump and it doesn't seem to have any problems.

Any help or suggestions?

[David Stone]

Like the Beatles used to sing, "Help me if you can . . . won't you please, please help me, help me help meeee."

Thank for helping me solve this issue.

[David Stone]

I can't believe with all the great minds on this forum that no one has any ideas that could help me. I am not sure what to do to get rid of this habitual problem. I don't have any issues with the rear livewell/baitwell, but it sit lower and the pump is slightly lower since it sit just aft of the front well pump.

Help me if you can. Thanks