Uh oh..found this hole next to bilge pump...HELP ! (pic)

[ATXastro]

http://imgur.com/a/eD1Ao

This hole is on the end of a fiberglass protrusion that comes from under the gas tank and stops just short of the bilge pump. I ran a long zip tie in the hole and did not hit anything solid. Zip tie was wet when I pulled it out.

I bought this boat from a guy who had left it out in the weather for a year & a half. I'm sure he had the plug out during that time but obviously a large amount of water probably entered this hole. Question is, where did it likely go ? Into a bulkhead ? Is this protrusion supposed to be constructed of wood under glass, which has all rotted away ?

Sorry if these are dumb questions, but I'm a new boater and I don't know what the underbelly of these things are like. Should I rent a plumbing snake with a camera on the end ?

This is a 1987 Webbcraft (yes, Webb not Well) bow rider w/ I/O Merc 260. Thank you in advance.

 

[jbcurt00]

How about cleaning the bilge and posting another pix. I cant see the hole in the pix you posted

 

[Woodonglass]

I agree, Get her cleaned up so we can see what's going on.

 

[ATXastro]

I can certainly do that this evening...thanks. The hole is circled in red on the photo. It is on the corner of this 2x4 shaped fiberglass object that terminates there next to the bilge pump and runs toward the bow, underneath the gas tank. Thanks so much !

 

[CrazyFinn]

My guess (just a guess mind you) is that the "2x4 shaped" object is a support for the fuel tank, and 30 years ago probably contained wood. Water soaked wood, enclosed in fibreglass to retain the moisture, probably won't be wood anymore after 30 years...

Then again, I have no idea how those boats were originally constructed. There's always a possibility that it was supposed to be hollow (but not full of water).

 

[Scott Danforth]

My guess .......30 years ago probably contained wood. Water soaked wood, enclosed in fibreglass to retain the moisture, probably won't be wood anymore after 30 years...

my thought as well

 

[ATXastro]

It turns out that there is actually PVC inside the object. This would seem to suggest that it is a drain of some kind, possibly intended to drain water from the water ski compartment which is a cut out in the center of the main floor ?

http://imgur.com/a/JRvq5 Thanks !

 

[Scott Danforth]

that bilge is still in dire need of a cleaning

 

[kcassells]

After I looked at that pic I had to wash myself off with acetone. Really...