[McGillicuddy]

My tubes did come out easily by tapping on the length of pvc I drove them out with. The dowel and the pvc sleeve were just an unnecessary idiocy. I thought by creating a center plug I wouldn't use as much epoxy so it wouldn't heat up as much allowing more penetration time into the wood block. Also thought it would also serve to guide the bit when ready to re-drill. It is better to fill the hole completely, let the epoxy cure, and then re-drill. Drilling became difficult because the density and hardness of the pvc and hardened epoxy were so different and there was empty space (drill bit would stick and catch on the edges of the pvc...)

Bushwacker, (who is a wealth of useful information) bored an over-sized hole then taped the bottom and then filled it so when he re-drilled he had a thick fiberglass sleeve around the brass tube. Better idea, I think. You can do a search for his scupper replacement, too. He used a dowel as a guide too, but much more effectively.

As you've probably read the scupper leaks are notorious sources of water ingress on these boats because it occurs below the floor. I actually had a stream of water running down the stringer into the bilge.
Good luck with the project.