Live-well pumps that are over the sides or through the scupper holes? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Iceman · 01-22-2016, 09:58 AM

over the side is self priming as impeller is below water line. thru hull is below water line. Thru scupper needs a means of priming as impeller is above water line. Hobie uses a pick up tube with a 90 degree angle pointed forward. Momentum pushes water up to the impeller, once primed should run the duration of the battery, obviously a timer switch would be a bad idea in this configuration..........or any configuration IMO

Hunters Pa · 01-22-2016, 11:32 AM

I built mine to draw from over the side as it is easier to clear anything that gets on the intake. Also, having the pump at the end of the intake hose allows me to pull it forward far enough if I need to pop it apart and clear something from inside the pump.

That said, I have learned to be careful of my line on that side. Not so much when fighting a fish, more so when I am slow trolling and make too sharp a turn, or repositioning during a drift.

No "right" answer. Just preference

01-22-2016, 09:58 AM	#1
Iceman Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: 1-2 miles off the point Posts: 6,948	over the side is self priming as impeller is below water line. thru hull is below water line. Thru scupper needs a means of priming as impeller is above water line. Hobie uses a pick up tube with a 90 degree angle pointed forward. Momentum pushes water up to the impeller, once primed should run the duration of the battery, obviously a timer switch would be a bad idea in this configuration..........or any configuration IMO __________________

01-22-2016, 11:32 AM	#2
Hunters Pa Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Fullerton Posts: 1,361	I built mine to draw from over the side as it is easier to clear anything that gets on the intake. Also, having the pump at the end of the intake hose allows me to pull it forward far enough if I need to pop it apart and clear something from inside the pump. That said, I have learned to be careful of my line on that side. Not so much when fighting a fish, more so when I am slow trolling and make too sharp a turn, or repositioning during a drift. No "right" answer. Just preference