RedactedNarrative: Owner purchased the used boat on 4/11/2017 and had not operated the boat or had the boat on the water prior to the incident.   Operator switched on the aerator at the driver’s console to fill the two live wells in the boat.  The switch remained on and water continued to fill the boat live wells until the time of the incident.  Strong winds made for rough water conditions on the lake.
  Operator reported feeling a spray of water on his back as high winds and waves crashed into the back of the boat as he operated at about half throttle while turning southbound toward the boat landing.  Operator turned to see water filling the back compartment of the boat, the stern of the boat was sinking.
  
  Operator and Passenger grabbed wearable Type II PFDs that floated out of the stern compartment.  Both put on the PFDs as they voluntarily left the boat.  The stern of the boat quickly sank.  The tip of the boat bow was visible above the surface of the water for several hours, but then sank below the surface.  Operator and Passenger were in the water for approximately 20 minutes before being removed by Emergency personnel. 
   
  Vessel was removed from the lake on 4/29/2017, it was determined that the live well water overflowing into the stern live well overflow drain did not leave the boat.  An apparent failure/disconnect of the hose at the stern live well caused water being continually pumped into the stern live well to enter the interior of the vessel under the stern compartment.  The Operator failed to switch on the boat's bilge pump until the boat was in the process of sinking. 
  
  Factors considered:  The vessel's design (vessel's short freeboard), the weight of water entering the stern of the vessel, strong winds and choppy water conditions, failure/lack of maintenance of components installed by the boat manufacturer.
  