help with bilge conduits

[leamichael57]

Hey, I'm Mike in North Carolina
Got a free boat from a friend that will likely end up costing me 10000. needs a motor and trailer work. what at friend.

anyways i think that the boat is in incredibly good shape and i love the way it looks. so i'm gonna go for it and try to turn it around.
i also like the Aquasport following.

Before i go spending tons of money i want to verify what i believe about its "soundness".

What/where are the locations that i can look for known bad spots on these/this model that would indicate any trouble?
i have taken off every hatch/access point i can find off, looked and taken photos of almost every area and found that there is no visible rot or deterioration anywhere. the stringers look great from front to back. i don't know how to check a transom but is seems very sound and solid.





Are these conduits drains? From the upper left and upper right down to the bilge area? They are blocked or clogged somewhere near the top. i can put a large zip tie in there and it will go almost all the way but both stop. Are they Drains? or just spare conduits for wires?

Also under the main boat drain, on the inside of the transom, at the very bottom is an area that is open that i wouldn't think would be there. it doesn't seem to be rotten and seems to have been that way from the factory. just looking for an opinion.

thanks very much. also i hope the photo is not upside down when you click the link. if so Rick how do i remedy this?

[leamichael57]

i found the picture fix. thanks rick

[Capt. Bob]

Start by reading this.

https://classicaquasport.com/smf/index.php?topic=10634.0

The tubes are drains. You may have a clog or be hitting a bulkhead where the drain tube starts.

Fuzzy on the "opening". How about a few pics?

Good luck.

[RickK]

The pipe you see there is to allow drainage from the outer side of the stringer down into the bilge - called "Limber holes". They shouldn't be plugged and maybe what you're hitting is the flotation foam on the outside of the stringer.
To test the transom, trim/tilt the engine up and then put your weight on the lower unit and bounce a little while you watch for any transom flex.

[leamichael57]

Thanks Rick, i Will unclogg them. They both definitely have foam in them near the top. i assume it been that way.

Capt Bob, i have attached 2 photos a little closer than the 1st one that shows and opening under the drain plug. its about 4 inches wide and about 3/4" tall. i can just barley put the tips of my fingers in there to feel for rot or damage. Seems OK. I just wouldn't think it would be there for water and junk to collect under the drain hole. leave it or fill it in?

[Capt. Bob]

Hard to tell. Who knows what was going on when it was first laid up.

Old eyes here but what is the "screw" looking device just below the drain?

[leamichael57]

Just need to vacuum out that area
Didn’t know it was there until I took photo

I don’t have a motor on it to do the transom test but I believe it’s in good shape.

Some folks I’m talking to are tell me these are good years for the type of construction that was used versus other later years. Any simple insight to that would be great.