Bass boat taking on water!!

[FLTENNHUNTER1]

Starting landing Alabama bass immediately so I decided to keep some of them to fillet. Switched over livewell and started to add water. Threw in the one from my rod and continued to fish. Well finished filling so I switched over to recirculating. A few minutes later bilge pump kicks on and is removing a significant amount of water. Didn't think much about it until it did it again. Accessed the battery compartment and couldn't locate the leak. Panic set in and I started looking how far from the bank I was in case I had to scoot. Bilge pump was gaining ground so I relaxed a little.

Thought about it and it didn't start until I filled livewell. So I tossed the fish and drained the livewell. Put valve back into original position. Bilge stopped pumping.

Troubleshooting revealed a huge crack in the bottom of the valve. IT FROZE.

Live and learn. This year when I winterize I will wet vac everything associated with the live well. Ordered new pump and valve.

 

[Kirk]

That sucks. A friend mine had a similar problem several years ago. His had a split in the incoming line. He said as long as he was running the boat was maintaining. Pulled up the dock and it started filling up quickly. Gave the keys to his truck to his wife and said get out. "Find someone to back the trailer in for you." She jumps up on the dock and runs up to some guys on the dock. In the meantime he was circling around trying to keep the water from getting any worse. He said one guy finally got the trailer in the water. He ran the boat up on the trailer to safety.