El Pescador

[Bobby]

I am repairing the transom on my boat and was wondering why there might not have been plugs installed in the hull. I just bought the boat and found that there was over 5 gallons of water in the hull. There is a bilge pump there and was wondering if I should I install some now?
This is a late 80's El Pescador.Thanks

[AustinFXDWG]

ElPescador, and other gulf coast shallow water boats are usually designed with a watertight self bailing deck. Their very low freeboard aft makes that a requirement. As you have discovered, they are not really watertight. Any kind of deck penetration, or screw, leaves a path for water to get in. I would suggest adding a screw in type drain tube, and an inspection hatch if possible (beckson plate) above that drain in the deck. As long as there are no major hull penetrations like rigging tubes for motor cables, don't bother with the bilge pump. AustinFXDWG