Livewell -Bilge- Plumbing/Rebuild

[ZachBoyer]

I just purchased a 91 286 Pro Tournament and am having to do some work to it.

One of my main projects will be the livewell area and I wasnt sure if anyone had a diagram of the plumbing or anything. I have not really dove into what is missing yet but everything needs to be replaced for sure. The previous owner ripped all of the hoses out of the boat.

Im sure if I dig into it hard enough I can get it figured out but trying to look ahead on the slim chance there is a diagram. I know it needs a new aerator, the old one works but screams to high hell.

Im not sure if there is another pump (and where it would be located) for recirc. or fill. The boat is at a shop getting some new carpet right now so i could probably answer alot of questions on my own but like I said just trying to look ahead.

I am installing a new bilge when I get it back but where was it originally plumbed to? rear or side hole?

p.s. it has a single fuel tank (middle)


Thank you for your time.

[tarrington2484]

I am in the process of trying to purchase a 92 Sprint 286 and I am going to be digging into some of the bilge area as well. I am trying to figure out if the fuel tank will even come out of these models or what is required to get to the plumbing below the tank myself. Hopefully someone will eventually see these posts and chime in with some knowledge about these boats. In the meantime welcome to the BBC!!! This is a great place with a lot of knowledgable people. I have even met some of these guys in person and they have all been FIRST CLASS.

[ZachBoyer]

I am in the process of trying to purchase a 92 Sprint 286 and I am going to be digging into some of the bilge area as well. I am trying to figure out if the fuel tank will even come out of these models or what is required to get to the plumbing below the tank myself. Hopefully someone will eventually see these posts and chime in with some knowledge about these boats. In the meantime welcome to the BBC!!! This is a great place with a lot of knowledgable people. I have even met some of these guys in person and they have all been FIRST CLASS.

My fuel tank has a securemeant on either side, but during my test run with the previous owner the motor kept cutting out so I ended up fueling the boat to make sure it was just a fuel problem. Now I need to run the gas out before I start getting into it. Twist my arm to do that. So long story short it looks really easy to remove when empty.

I should have the boat back tomorrow from getting new carpet... Excited!

and thanks for the welcome!

[tarrington2484]

I took the boat I was looking at to the lake today for a test run and ended up purchasing it. So I will literally be in the same boat as you are trying to figure everything out. Keep me updated with your project and I will do the same for you and hopefully between the two if we run into any trouble we can figure it out.

[bperdue21]

Let me know how easily the tank comes out because mine does not look like it would be an easy task at all.

[ZachBoyer]

Ok. I should be pulling the tank either tomorrow or Thursday. I went and looked at my boat today and it seems really straight forward... The back of the tank has a 45 in the bottom of it so it looks like it will just tip out... I will take a picture or two if I need too

[bperdue21]

That would be great if you took some pics. I will be upgrading my livewells if i don't have to tear anything up. Any idea of tank capacity?

[tarrington2484]

I went out and looked again tonight and after cleaning the tag it is still very faint but it looks like it says the capacity is 32 gallons. The tank is 15" deep and the opening in the deck is 15" so it would be a very tight fit that would require all fittings be removed from the tank and then it would have to be stood up on it's edge to get it out. I do not think I am looking forward to having to ever take my gas tank out but I'm sure the day is coming. Please keep us updated how it goes when taking it out.

[tarrington2484]

Oh and by the way my livewell aerator pump is mounted through the transom with access to it either from the rigging compartment lid and even through the screw down hatch in the transom well. Might be a little tricky but should be able to be replaced without removing the fuel tank. The bilge pump and livewell drain on the other hand....not so much...

[ZachBoyer]

I am taking my tank out now. I took a picture of the securement but can't post them off of my phone. I will take more pictures and post them tonight or tomorrow. I'm defueling right this second

[tarrington2484]

Looking forward to hearing how the tank removal went. Thanks for keeping us up to date as it seems there is more than one of us searching for the same answers.

[bperdue21]

Yeah, i hope you tell me it pulls right out without a hitch. My livewell will be a lot nicer place for a bass to be if so.

[ZachBoyer]

There is a special place in hell reserved for whoever designed this. I could trim about 1" of the aft fiberglass support (that supports the door when you stand on it) but I opted to install the bilge in front of the fuel tank support.

so long story short tank not completely removed. Gave up. If you flip the front of it up you can get to everything you need to for the aerator or love well though.

ineill still throw some pictures up of how miserable it was.

[tarrington2484]

There is a special place in hell reserved for whoever designed this.

I had heard it quite a pain to get this tank out if even impossible. At least there is hope that you can at least access everything with the tank flipped up. Can't wait to see the pics.

[ZachBoyer]

boat.jpg

I installed the Bilge right in front of the support for the fuel tank... I didn't replace the Aerator because i can get to it ok with the tank in. The rest of the hosing to the livewell is in place below the tank...s a Brown

I didn't even see where the bildge was in this boat. I am thinking someone ripped it out. I can't even find the wiring in the back for it, I think its a Brown/Orange wire and I dont have one so I guess I will have to put in some new wiring...

[tarrington2484]

Yup that looks about right for everything else I have ever done with a boat.....Stand on your head and twist yourself into a pretzel .....And that's just to replace a fuse...

[ZachBoyer]

Yeah I hear that. When you get a chance can you look at your bildge wiring and take a picture of what harness it is coming out of, I can't find the dang wires! I looked at it and rooted around for atleast 6 beers looking for them...

[bperdue21]

I am just wondering if i couldn't slide the tank towards the back of the boat and move the clamps back to hold it in. I just need to gain a few inches to install recirq.

[tarrington2484]

Yeah I hear that. When you get a chance can you look at your bildge wiring and take a picture of what harness it is coming out of, I can't find the dang wires! I looked at it and rooted around for atleast 6 beers looking for them...

I'll do my best the next time I uncover the boat but the only thing I have seen thus far of the bilge pump is the discharge tube as it disappears into the abyss.

[tarrington2484]

I just yesterday installed a new trolling motor (new to me anyway) and also installed the trolling batteries and a three bank onboard charger. While back there I did some looking and if you take the screw down hatch off the transom well and stand on your head and hold one foot in the air while sticking your tongue out the lower side of your mouth you can just barely see the bilge pump sitting under the rear of the tank dead center of the boat. I can reach the pump by hand and thought about pulling it out to look at the wire coloring but was afraid I may not be able to get it back into the base. I'm sorry but I couldn't see what wires were there or where they even routed from. If I do ever pull the tank or do like you did and flip it up you can bet I will be replacing everything that lives under there all at once.