This is well below the shaft. What could it be? Leaking in pretty good.

I would be checking the transom for soft spots . . .

Pull the boat and put a hose in it.

I agree I think you have a weak transom and the bottom of the transom assembly has pushed through the lower part of the transom.

that does not sound like it is beneficial to the rest of my boating season. boat is stored in high and dry storage. doesn't stay in the water. so fill the bilge with water and see where it comes out?

nor the fact that i just bought this boat two weekends ago.

Get the boat down at eye level. . Trim the drive down and step on the drive and bounce on it Or have someone else do it while you watch underneath where it mounts to the transom outside and see if it moves.

Lastly put some water in the bilge, be helpful if you could do it while the boat sat on the forklift with the forks tilted back so the water does not flow forward..

i will do both of those Friday as well as taking a bore scope down to see if i can pin point the leak. never thought i would hope for a split bellows until now.

Transom assembly is rotting out. I will be sealing it up tomorrow and running the season out then replacing both with HP assemblies this fall.

I will make you a deal on a pair of HP assemblies They need pain and a lower pin/bearing on one. If you are interested let me know. I am replacing the pair on my 353.

im interested for sure. just got a quote for much more than i want to spend. but will if i have too.