Well folks that did it - took out the rod panel and - yes - there it was - mounted in the ugliest place they could find I guess.. way up there above the baitwell - behind the rod holder...
the tubes still looked all right - although, one side coming from the pump had a kink in it- since I was at it, I replaced the hose with some heavier gauge (same inside diameter) but I figured less prone to getting a knick in it over time.
It took some acrobatic arm moves & bloody knuckles to replace the pump though - why don't the folks who design or manufacture stuff, think a bit more about Service impact ??
There was no need to place that pump in that spot - they could have mounted it right there at the opening behind the rod panel !
btw. I found the exact same air pump (a "Pro Air") at Boaters World on Galveston.