Home › Forums › Bass Cat Boats › 05 Puma – Broken flow-rite Empty/Auto-dill switch
The Flow-rite auto-fill/Emtpy switch broke off on my 05 Puma. Wondering about the best way to replace it and would I need to replace the entire panel? Thoughts, advice, and has anyone else had this happen?Thanks!
I have the same issue on my 08 Cougar. I have been told it a common occurrence. I was going to replace the cable and switch, but decided as many suggested to just disconnect at valve and manually closed it. Just will pump in when needed and pump out. They say its a pain in the butt and will eventually break again.Butch P
manually closing it sounds like a huge pain in the ass to me. Is this just a design flaw?
We have tried in the past to eliminate the control valve for durability reasons, though consumers keep requesting the valve because they like the ease of turning the valve to retain water. That is instead of a simple plug in the well. There are several different valve designs so be sure you get the same part number. BCB has them in Parts.
Maybe Im just lucky or something but I love the switch and valve. Ive been in Basscats for 14 years now and I have never experienced a failure with this system. I fish tournaments and use the livewells all the time. I read the negative comments on the switch and valve and just thought I would speak in favor of this system. Generally we only see complaints on things but from my perspective, this has never been a problem for me and I think it is a “must” for convenience and I would repair mine if it fails.Just my 2 cents. Everyone should believe in something. I believe Ill just go fishing!
So I looked up the part & the shipping charge for the part is more than 3x the cost of the part. Is there anything that BassCat can do? Would it be better to order it through a local dealer?
No pain in the ass to close manually. Its a one time thing. Then if you want to fill live wells, pump it in then at the end of the day, put it out.Butch P
http://www.basscatstore.com/controlvalveactuator.aspx If this is the part your talking about. I had the same issue on my boat 04 p4. 12+ year old boat so Id say its not a “design flaw” more just wear and tear/age of product. Its really not big issue to change the part out. The part linked above is $25 through basscat. Im wondering how you have figured more than 3times that cost for shipping unless your outside the US? Its a part that possibly could be found at a local marine supply for about the same price.
JEH in La wrote:Maybe Im just lucky or something but I love the switch and valve. Ive been in Basscats for 14 years now and I have never experienced a failure with this system. I fish tournaments and use the livewells all the time. I read the negative comments on the switch and valve and just thought I would speak in favor of this system. Generally we only see complaints on things but from my perspective, this has never been a problem for me and I think it is a “must” for convenience and I would repair mine if it fails.Just my 2 cents. I also feel that I must be lucky too, I had 1 break after 15 years on this boat, but it was my fault for forcing it the wrong way.
BCB I agree 100% with plugging the livewell. Ive plugged the livewell in BassCats since 2006 and dont think I ever lost a fish. Every boat I ever had with the valves caused issues, something always caught in them etc. For me its just too easy to pump in and out and never worry about the water going out on long runs and pretty much eliminates livewell issues. Nothing worse than running 30 minutes to pull in to the ramp with your fish dry. Thats a couple hundred dollar item that can be replaced with a dollar plug. Better item for most would be dual bilge pumps with separate switches or even dual pump outs for faster culling.
© 2026 Bass Cat Boats

