In-deck stern inspection plate/hatch on 70's Aquasports

[gran398]

Have been in discussion with fellow members r.e. no rear inspection ports on early to mid 70's Aquas. That is, no bilge pump, no through hulls, etc. Frankly, kinda blew my mind....never owned a boat with no bilge pump.

Sealed deck, only hatch is the fuel tank cell hatch. Looking for thoughts here, pro and con. Great to keep her classic, but something about no bilge pump....

What do you all think?

[RickK]

Yup, know what you mean - same on my 170.  Only scary when you have a hull breach.

[John Jones]

Especially scary when I found that all of the thru-hull hose clamps had rusted off on my CCP.  Actually, the hoses were so hard they would have never come off.  I had to use a hacksaw on the hoses when I replaced the thru-hulls.

[RickK]

But your CCP had bilge pumps.

[John Jones]

Yeah, a wal mart special