Hobie Livewell priming - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

vincentek9 · 06-28-2022, 10:52 AM

I have a Rule bait pump on my boat. It's below the water line + a thru-hull scoop (yes it is facing forward), and I still cant get it to self-prime even when cruising at 18kt. I always end up twisting the pump off so water fills in for a second before re-attaching and turning it on.

I've always wondered about how a kayak would do it. I presume a primer bulb would work great on yaks even with the smaller diameter because you don't need the kind of GPH flow that a boat requires.

JohnMckroidJr · 06-29-2022, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vincentek9

I have a Rule bait pump on my boat. It's below the water line + a thru-hull scoop (yes it is facing forward), and I still cant get it to self-prime even when cruising at 18kt. I always end up twisting the pump off so water fills in for a second before re-attaching and turning it on.

I've always wondered about how a kayak would do it. I presume a primer bulb would work great on yaks even with the smaller diameter because you don't need the kind of GPH flow that a boat requires.

Below the waterline, it should prime way easier than on a kayak. Good to know I am not the only one who has had issues.

JohnMckroidJr · 08-05-2022, 12:58 PM

Last time out I was stoked to get this nice Calimari while fishing for bait along the beach.

I would have loved to put it out live out in 200ft, but the live well lost prime while en route. When I opened the lid to bait up, half my bait was dead.

This has happened before, and I am considering putting a water level alarm in my live well.

I think part of the problem is now that I am motorized, my average speed is faster, and the likelihood of the pump intake catching a pocket of air has increased.

I am using a 12volt battery with the discharge throttled by a half-open butterfly valve to increase back pressure and reduce flow in the well.

Open to ideas or suggestions to reduce the chances of losing prime.....

06-28-2022, 10:52 AM	#1
vincentek9 MAYNEE-YAK Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: So Cal Posts: 533	I have a Rule bait pump on my boat. It's below the water line + a thru-hull scoop (yes it is facing forward), and I still cant get it to self-prime even when cruising at 18kt. I always end up twisting the pump off so water fills in for a second before re-attaching and turning it on. I've always wondered about how a kayak would do it. I presume a primer bulb would work great on yaks even with the smaller diameter because you don't need the kind of GPH flow that a boat requires. __________________

08-05-2022, 12:58 PM	#3
JohnMckroidJr Senior Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Fort Lauderdale Posts: 1,960	Hobie live well failing to stay primed. Last time out I was stoked to get this nice Calimari while fishing for bait along the beach. I would have loved to put it out live out in 200ft, but the live well lost prime while en route. When I opened the lid to bait up, half my bait was dead. This has happened before, and I am considering putting a water level alarm in my live well. I think part of the problem is now that I am motorized, my average speed is faster, and the likelihood of the pump intake catching a pocket of air has increased. I am using a 12volt battery with the discharge throttled by a half-open butterfly valve to increase back pressure and reduce flow in the well. Open to ideas or suggestions to reduce the chances of losing prime.....