Tracker Panfish 16 Help

[2old2wade]

Friends,

New to boating and fishing. Just bought a new to me 2005 panfish 16 stick steer. No manual or instructions. It has a 25hp 2 stroke, livewell, and fishfinder. I need the experts to tell me what the 3 holes in the stern are and if all of them need to be plugged before entering the water? I figure that one is the main boat drain(large diameter aluminum), and the other 2 may be for the live well system. I appreciate everyones help. I am taking a boater safety course, getting the required gear together, and hope to get the kids on the fish in a few days. Any web links, additional information, etc is greatly appreciated.
Any general information about the boat would be great as well I cant find any manuals for the boat but have found them for the motor.
Thanks again.

 

[flycaster]

Re: Tracker Panfish 16 Help

The bottom most hole, aluminum, is for the bilge drain. NEEDS to have plug inserted BEFORE putting boat on the water.
Hole with a screen cover, is for the livewell fill. When the switch is activated to fill/circulate the livewell, water is pulled in thru this opening.
Hole, with black "plastic" surround is the drain from the live well.
In the live well there should be a removable "standpipe". This should screw into the hole in the bottom of the livewell. Circulating Pump, when activated will pump water in to the livewell and when full will drain over the top and down the stand pipe. By leaving the switch activated, the water will be continuously be refreshed.

 

[Watermann]

Re: Tracker Panfish 16 Help

Not exactly sure which holes your talking about, a picture of them would be good. Could be as stated, bilge drain plug, through the hull livewell intake and there could be some up higher on the transom that are splashwell drain tubes. If so the bilge drain is the only one that needs plugged up before launching.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Tracker Panfish 16 Help

Welcome to iboats!:welcome:

For required safety equipment, take a look here: Virtual Vessel Examiner

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Tracker Panfish 16 Help

Most Trackers have a bilge access portal through the splashwell, it's a black plastic circular cover directly in front of the motor. If you unscrew the cover (they can be a pain to unscrew if they haven't been opened in a while) you'll be able to look down and see what the 3 holes in the transom are for.

1. You'll see daylight through the bilge drain with the plug out.

2. The livewell intake may or may not have a screen on the outside, but on the inside you'll see the pump mounted to the transom at one of the holes.

3. The livewell drain hole will have a hose attached to it.

Through this portal you'll also be able to see and access the bilge pump should it ever need replacing, it's also the best way to access the livewell pump for replacement too.