Leak at stringer

[Hooper]

Hi Guys-

I appreciate your insight, very much!

Here's what I think is going on and if I am right, I am grateful, but embarrassed at the same time. I hauled the boat today fearing a slip sinking b/c when I peered into the inspection hatch, I saw what I thought was increased water flow from the drainage port where the stringer connects to the transom. This allows water to flow from the outboard side of the stringer to the keel bilge pump as I have learned.

A good friend who knows much more than I said start with the simple stuff. "Are your seacocks closed that lead to your bait well and washdown pump" I wasn't sure. I checked and sure enough they were open. He believes that water from the baitwell is seeping over the top of the baitwell and spilling just enough to trickle into the keel thus activating the bilge pump.

Sound reasonable? Does to me and I will splash the boat asap to test the idea. It sounds more reasonable than cracks in the hull b/c I looked real hard at the inside and outside and could not find an area that looked even slightly bad.

Thanks again guys, I appreciate your thoughts!

-Hooper