Decided to take apart the back of the boat today. The excuse was that the livewell pumpout didn't work, but I was more curious to see what was down there and learn how the wiring works. It was dirty too, so that was excuse number two :)

Getting at the pumps was at least fairly interesting. There's a plate that covers the bottom of the boat. The oil tank sits on the plate. The edges of the battery boxes also sit on the edge of the plate, so 3 screws had to come up there as well. The 4th screw was missing, needs replacement.

One quick release clip on the battery box was broken, needs replacement. One battery terminal was held on by a hex nut, I had that covered with a spare wing nut.

Here it is opened up.

http://www.calfishing.com/dc/user_files/7832-compartment_during.jpg

Underneath I found 4 pumps. Two 800gph bilge pumps, one aerator pump to bring in fresh lake water, and the pump out pump. Can you spot the problem? Even I could figure that one out.

http://www.calfishing.com/dc/user_files/7833-rule_pump.jpg

Now the question is how to get a replacement cartridge for a rule Hi-Flow Aerator pump? They seem to be discontinued. I emailed rule. Would rather do the cartridge than replace the whole thing, yuk. Wouldn't mind having a spare also. The recirc pump is more readily accessible, sitting up behind the livewell and could be replaced on the water.

And here it is cleaned up and back together.

http://www.calfishing.com/dc/user_files/7834-compartment_after.jpg

A good first foray in to the bowels of the boat. Did some labeling on the way out too. Still more to be done there.

Long term an option could be to go with the Optima batteries, which are smaller. But I am thinking that taking out the middle plate on the water would still be a nightmare with the oil tank. If you could get a spare cap for the business end of the oil tank it could be possible. But having oil sloshing around with the cap open to move the tank off the plate would be all bad. An interesting dilemma to think about for the future :)