Mako Pro Skiff bait well pump fix (air lock fix) 

Just finished the the upgrade to the live well, took the boat out and the live well worked perfectly for the first time since I’ve owned the boat. I’ve owned a MAKO 15 for 2 years. Thanks for putting this fix on the RU-vid!

THIS WORKS…NO DOUBT !!!! Thank you so much!!

Props to you for getting that issue sorted out yourself. Bigger props for posting this video so others don't have to go through the same ordeal.👍 Shame on Mako for that crap design and the dealer for not making it right.

There’s two issues to this boat… the bait well and the fact that the fuel tank doesn’t fit under the rear casting deck. You’ve fixed half the issues! Thanks man

You just solved the biggest problem about this boat. 👍👍

I was thinking about adding a one way valve to the supply line to try and fix this same problem when I found your video

I saw you out there yesterday. I watch your channel all the time but never have met you. I was fishing near where that tug is loading in the background. I did not know it was you yesterday untill I just watched the video.

Thanks so much! I can't wait to fix this! it has been a pain and yes Bass Pro has been no help.

I have a Pro Skiff 17 and have had this problem since I’ve bought the boat new 3 years ago. Thanks for the fix! I’m going to try it.

Just want to say thank you for this video. Just did this to my mako 15 and it works great! Thanks again

I installed a Beduan Brass air release valve,model 10500-VE,in the same place as you did.It works fine and I didn’t have to run a hose out the back.Great video,thanks.

Thanks for the info on the bait well fix!! Terrific!! I have a 2019 Pro 15 Skiff and, like you, the bait well has never worked. I took it back twice to the dealer (45 min drive on the freeway, one-way) and both times they said nothing was wrong. Both times they "shot" water from a hose into the intake under the boat and said, "see, water is coming into your bait well". I'm excited to finally have a fix for it. Thank you!!

Thank you I will be trying this soon. I just got my 15 a month ago. Cannot wait to try this

Sweet Fix Brother! Cheers, Eric

Thank you so much!! That was my only complaint with my Mako.

I have the same problem with both my live wells on my Carolina Skiff. Basically the same setup and I know its a air lock that's causing my issue. Tried rerouting the hoses so that there were no dips or low spots, but that still didn't help much. Now I'm going to try this vent setup as you did and see if that works. Mine goes to a "T" that splits off to the back and forward live bait wells, and if I break the connections at the "T" (pull the hose off) that pump works just fine. I can see the water in the hose that's causing the air lock so the vent should work just like pulling the hose off the "T". Thanks for the idea, it looks like a simple enough fix.

Awesome I will try that. Thank you.

I do not yet have one of these skiffs, I am however considering getting one. I'm doing my "due diligence" watching and reading reviews. I've noticed this seems to be an issue for almost everybody that owns the boat. Thank you for finding and sharing a fix for it. However I believe I know what the issue is from manufacturing that causes the problem in the first place. They're probably intentionally putting a loop in the water line, close to the bait well, in hopes to maintain prime and creating they're own issue in the process.... One way to find out if I'm right would be to cap your bypass and run a piece of your small tubing in through the fill port. It would equalize the pressure inside the water tubing.

Thanks for posting. Have had the problem with mine. Same boat. As for the fuel tanks not fitting easily underneath the back deck I added 2 service port holes right above my fuel tanks. Much easier to fuel up now. There's a short video on my channel if anyone wants to see it.

Ive,got,a little crestliner jon boat. Same thing. Sometimes works, most time not.

i think if you were to unscrew the top of the pump it'll fix it too, this happened on my bass tracker and when i messed with it i unscrewed the top a bit and it worked

When mine won’t pump, I turn the valve up and take a deep breath, blow thru the fill, quickly turn the fill back down, leave on manual for this, then switch back to auto, works every time for the rest of the day

I have the same boat. I figured another way to get it running. It’s a priming issue.

Is the hole you drilled on the discharge side of the pump? I don’t have a mako but I built my own bait tank and it has a tendency to lock up when we’re motoring, killing all my bait before I get to the fishing grounds…

Maybe cut the water line, Install a brass barbed tee. And possibly a check valve. Just my 2 cents.

Is this still working for you? I’m going to install mine soon just wanted to follow up! Thanks for the info/video! You’ve got yourself a sub!

Hi, really like the video. Where can we buy the white 3x vertical rod holder with suction cup that you used on the side of the boat? thanks!

All you had to do was take a garden hose and run water threw it from inside the live well backwards threw hose

I am not too clear on the tubing you drilled to. Was it a discharge tubing or water intake tube? I have skiff 17 with two wells I need to fix. Thanks for what you do for the MAKO owners with this MAKO’s major defects.

my 1 yrs old mako lts livewell would not drain after removed the plug. used water hose to spray any debris but still not draining. can someone give suggestion?

Why did this make it work? I’m getting an air lock on my bass tracker

Could just dumb the water into the drainage area so the bilge can pump it out