Hobie Livewell priming

[JohnMckroidJr]

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.....