I was under the impression at some point in time boats couldn't drain from cabin to bilge going thru the gas tank compartment. Reason being if a gas tank were to rupture, that would allow gas to run into the bilge. Just what I read. seems reasonable

US1 - Interesting seems very reasonable, do you remember is that was USCG or NMMA or other? That explains the logic behind the design at least.

Don't recall where I read it

definitely seems reasonable. there are no other drain holes in the side of hull for a drain for forward bilge. it must be old enough to still run the drains. it looks as if newer models have a bilge under what would be the step into the cuddy.
I have no step so I cut a 4" hole in the floor and fished my arm around to locate any drain hole to see if plugged up. as far as my arm can reach it is filled with water.i have used a shop vac and pulled out almost 20 gallons of water.

302 - Looks like its time to install a bilge.

Caution though: My 232 (and others I think) is wired directly to the battery. Its design/mounting allows the bilge to run even when its not sucking water (float position or something) so I killed off a battery last week.

thats exactly how my 302 forward bilge is wired. cycles automatically every few minutes whether water or not.

I am hooked up to shore power or to my house with the boat so always being charged

Factory ones are wired with a float. You'd have to have it wired direct. If batteries were off at dock and boat started taking on water it would sink otherwise.

Irish, then I would assume, this is how mine is wired if it wasn't changed. Have never heard it come on.

Well, after reading this thread... I was cleaning my boat yesterday (for PR next week :-) ) and pulled the drain...NO water.. Was kind of worried about that, but it was moist but no standing water that I could see in drain that is under step.

How is water getting in there in the first place if it is all enclosed?