willibe
My '78 CC (probably just like yours) That area was designed for a fishbox with overboard drainage. I also keep my sand anchor in that space.
"Problem" Mine was a screw type plastic thru hull and had developed a small crack (time & stress related) There was water intrusion thru this crack into the bilge.
"FIX" I took out the inferior plastic thru hull and replaced with a SS Gemlux model, Sealed with 5200. I will continue (because of stress & time) to monitor this thru hull as well as other thru hull fitings (seacocks, bilge drain, scuppers etc) for leakage under a normal maintenace plan
