Randy, what is the best option for getting the water to drain from the front to the bilge? From what I have seen this is a common problem, I know it is on mine. Honey comb pad under the fuel tank?

[ATTACH=CONFIG]513453[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]513454[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]513455[/ATTACH]IROCDave, there are two drain tubes 1 on each side of the inner stringers to drain water from the front to the cockpit but the openings at the steps plugs up & they have a mat of fiberglass along the bottom of the tank with a small slot for water to get through, I have gotten to it but not under it to clean it up. I will snap some pics of what I am talking about. Looks like re engineering is in order. I will try to get on that tomorrow. Randy

Transom filler panel
 

This is what I'm thinking of doing to cover some useless space & clean up the transom area, What do you guys think?[ATTACH=CONFIG]513514[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]513515[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]513516[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]513517[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]513518[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]513519[/ATTACH]

it will clean it up a lot.

Opening up the step drains
 

:eekdrop: These step drains were all plugged up & or fiberglassed over allowing water to get trapped along the outside of the stringers. Todays mission was to open them up. I started with a drill & a step bit, then got in there with a dremel tool. I tried to chamfer the holes so any water could flow right through, what started as pin holes became the size of a quarter in diameter. I will daub in some sealer & resin to protect the stringers inside the holes before I put the tank in. The last pic is the center where the front steps were supposed to drain under the tank support panel. There is a slot about 2x4" in front of the rear step in the center for any & all water from the front to drain to the bilge. With the tank setting directly on the hull floor that slot is useless. SOOO I will be borrowing Ridefast77s idea to support the tank off the floor to allow for drainage. Randy[ATTACH=CONFIG]513626[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]513627[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]513628[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]513629[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]513630[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]513631[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]513632[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]513633[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]513634[/ATTACH]

Ice trapped in the hull
 

I cut the panel under the fuel tank out tonight to at least clean it up & see what it looks like under there & not only was there a bunch of debri's under there but it was also solid ICE!! Mind you the boat has been in the garage for a while now & plenty warm enough I thought. It got cold last night & today but with the step there & the beginning of the pad right there and also the drain holes being plugged up a bunch of water stayed trapped under the panel & stayed frozen. I am definitely thinking I will have to build some supports under the tank to allow ventilation under the tank so any water that can't run out will be able to evaporate. If anyone has a better idea I am all ears. [ATTACH=CONFIG]513820[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]513821[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]513822[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]513823[/ATTACH]Where the steps are they are 1-2" tall. Short of installing drain plugs behind the steps I can't see how water can drain freely from either place. Fortunately there is nothing there to rot but the cover panel it's self & that is the only suspect piece of wood I have found so far. Randy

Here are some shots of the cuddy floor, I still need to remove the floor panel so I can make sure ALL of the ice & water are gone. Also some shots of the steps from front to back showing the pad that starts at the 1st step & continues all the way back.[ATTACH=CONFIG]513899[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]513897[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]513898[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]513900[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]513901[/ATTACH]:party-smiley-004:

wow man that is a ton of work. looking good.

I like your transom filler idea I think it will look great!

boat looks great hope your wife is doing well went thur this with mine not fun 3 bouts and now c-free for 5 years
keep up the good work and post more pictures thoughts and prayers