can some one post a pic of exactly where you are cutting holes, on my '95 when you step down into the cabin that is the bottom of the boat, I'm thinking newer models may have a sub floor (this is where the H2O is getting trapped)

I wondering the same thing I know when you take out the marker lights there is space but where does it stop and could there be water under the center bunk I know the rub rail has places where water could get thru in front

no no!!- there saying just before you open your cabin door

I believe you are all talking about cutting a circular hole in the step down area in the cockpit liner. The area directly before you enter the cabin thru the door.

Mine had inspection plates (both starboard and port sides) just inside the cabin doors in the cabin area. Below was small bilge pumps with hoses routed to the hull side exterior. Same goes for the front sponson area just in front of the cabin/front storage area bulkhead.

What James has wrote is what you should do to prevent most water intrusion from the front sponson area. I have witnessed when storing the boat outside, overnight without covering the bow deck area, in the morning the underside of the bow deck sweated in only the forward storage area in front of the cabin. I believe this was limited only to that area because the cabin area deck has carpet attached to it. Since I keep my boat in a garage enclosure, I have only seen this occur when doing an overnight while boating. Keep in mind that no rain had occurred during these overnight periods. Enough condensation was present to have some water in the lower sponson area's. I may try attaching some carpet (glue) to a small area on the underside of the bow deck in the front storage area, to see if this helps in preventing this condensation problem. Any others seen this problem?

As for the Transom area, that is very strange not to have any drains (manual) in the transom. Mine (like most I believe) has (had) one installed in the lowest portion of each sponson/transom area. I have noticed some AO's had a manual drain installed in the center tunnel area of the transom. Mine had originally installed (factory) a bilge pump in the center tunnel area just in front of the transom. Dump hose was routed to the lowest portion of the starboard sponson. Sorry, but that just had to GO!!!
I installed a "third" drain in the transom like the AO's that I have seen. The only reason that I can believe water would be in the center tunnel area (engine compartment) would be:
1) Washing down the engine compartment
2) Having the boat out in the rain and water getting around the hatch and into the engine compartment.

Am I missing a third reason?

Factory bilge pumps in the engine compartment sponsons where too small (my humble opinion). Those have been replaced by much larger ones. Routed to the same factory dump spots.

Hello Randy, I have the subfloor installed in my cabin area. Therefore, I have the factory bilge pumps under this subflooring just in front of the cabin door position. I have (not there originally) installed inspection plates in the step down area of the cockpit liner (just in back of the cabin doors).

I can post some pics of this installation.

I just pulled my inspection cover everything dry as a bone still has dust from work. I have fridge on one side and a sink on the the other side with the water tank in sponson.There is another small section on up where lights are,can't get to it. the screws (1 3/4" )2 were broke off part of the way left pieces had to pry top ones out rounded off . I wonder if you could hinge the top of cover and secure at bottom ( velcro or shorter screw ) make it it easier get to. I'm holding up on floor drilling I don't trust my ability. yes you're right I get water in the center after rain or washing boat I installled some hoses to catch some of it and run into bilge the rest I shop vac out . I think I have have some where the orginal price sheet showing the drain plugs were an option. I'm second owner should have had them put in when motors were pulled (duh again ) preocupied with other issues

I would really like to get a copy of that price sheet. Wonder if there was any literature or sales brochures ever made? Having the drains as an option. Can you believe that?

What "small section on up where lights are,can't get to it" are you referring to? What James said about the very front storage area (in front of the cabin area) and the water intrusion is correct. If you don't have them already installed, get those drain cups installed on the bow deck pop-up cleats. Make sure the Nav lights are also sealed too. Put some sealant on the front center U-bolt too.

Drilling those circular holes is really no big thing. I recommend the 4 inch inspection unit. Your local Home Depot or Lowes should have a 4 inch hole saw. Again, I will try to get some pics of the inspection covers and the bilge pumps.
Many more upgrades to my boat over what the factory had originally intended.

I will try and find it was just aprinted sheet of paper with standard equipment and options I'm a pack rat still have 94 hot boat issue with it in it

I was wrong cockpit drains were on the option list but I do have color brochure with standard equipment and available options engine options graphics etc.