[PressureDrop]

catman - i am restoring the same boat, a 1970 to be exact. my boat sat on the bottom at least once, maybe twice. and i suspect both times to be becuase of the scuppers. the origional ones were sealed and then another pair was put in and also eventualy sealed. SCUPPERS AT THE WATERLINE!?!?! that sounds wayyyyyy wayyyy to close for comfort. if any of the water speeps into the bilge you will start to get that sinking feeling, and for good reason. if a boat is going to be self bailing the scuppers should be a minimum of 4 inches above the waterline, for common saftey reasons. this would mean the deck would also need to be rasied 4 inches resulting in a very low gunnale height. so a compromise must be made somewhere, on my boat, there will be no holes in the transom (not self bailing). we always hear storys of self bailing boats sinking, and for good reason, they let water in. if you dont let water in, you dont have to worry about getting it out. so with adiquate bilge pump cap. keeping a boat afloat should not be a problem. however if i were you i would get the boat out and seal those holes, especally if your boat is kept in a slip.if it rains and just a few gallons make it into the bilge the scuppers will be underwater and backflow into the boat and youll be on the bottom in no time. i did not mean to scare you with this post, just want you to do the right thing with that wonderfull boat of yours!, lets see some pics and we can compair notes on rebuilding!

Ben