Winterize Live Well

[JimS123]

I have a 2009 Starcraft Seafarer with a live well. The discharge hose seems to be self-draining, but is the fill hose?

The pickup is on the outside of the transom, with the pump mounted right inside. After the pump the hose has a gooseneck (loop) before going forward. Al the hoses are siliconed AND clamped, so they're not designed to be taken apart. I can't backfill with anti-freeze due to the design of the aerator.

Will it drain by itself? If I need to pump anti freeze in, how do I get it in the pickup? Or, is the hose just designed to expand in the first place?

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Winterize Live Well

Thats a good question.With the loop in the hose i would think it would hold some water.You could always find the right size plastic hose that fits in the inlet hole enough to suck some RV antifreeze up into the lines.
Better safe than sorry in my opinion..

 

[dingbat]

Re: Winterize Live Well

Personally would just drain the system the best you can, leave the intake open, and not worry about it. Never winterized my livewell in the 12 years I've had the boat and don't plan on starting now. The possibility of freeze damage to an open ended rubber hose is next to nothing.

 

[EddiePetty]

Re: Winterize Live Well

Not a Starcraft but a Bass Tracker belonging to one of my fishing partners: Very similar setup. The first outing of several Springs ago the live well pump would not work. Come to find out the pump housing had exploded into a zillion pieces. Freeze burst. Since then, when winterizing, we (he) always leaves all drains open and ShopVac's the thru-hull from outside. No problems since.
FWIW....Ed in 'ol Virginny

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Winterize Live Well

Most live well systems will hold a little water and generally it is in the area of the pump. Visit the plumbing dept of your local Lowes or Home Depot or a local hardware store and pick a plastic fitting that will simply slip into the intake fitting at the stern. Attach a hose with small funnel on the other end. Start the pump and pour RV antifreeze into the funnel. Run it until you see it at the live well. You are done. The reason you need to pour antifreeze into the inlet fitting is because livewell pumps are not lift pumps meaning they cannot suck liquid up hill so you need to pour it in.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Winterize Live Well

Sucking up anti-freeze was my first thought. Easy, right? No!

The pump inlet has a huge strainer on the outside and it is also sealed in place just like the hoses. There is no "fitting" that will allow a hose to be attached.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Winterize Live Well

Hopefully they haven't glued the strainer onto the pump nut as it should be removable, try turning the strainer the other way as it should (probably) be left hand threaded.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Winterize Live Well

The pump will not "suck up" anti freeze because they are not "lift pumps". The antifreeze level must be above the inlet to the pump so it must be "poured" into the inlet. All you need is a plastic double-ended hose barb fitting (used to join two pieces of hose). Attach a hose and funnel to one end and stick the other end into the inlet (after you unscrew the strainer). Turn the pump on and pour the juice into the funnel.