1979 18 livewell

[Greno]

My livewell lid has been screwed down and 5200. The only access I have is through a 6" screw down plate. I have no desire to use this. With the drain plug in the bottom, it appears the bottom of the livewell is the hull and it is gelcoated, but what will I get into if I cut the front and back out. This will give me some very needed access to the bilge. Just wondering. Since I havent seen mine does anyone have any photos of one that functions as designed. It looks like it would just be a mess and would require a pump. I have no scuppers on my boat, I believe they originally drained out the transom. My transom has been redone and the drains in the cockpit have been filled with 5200, the only way for the livewell to drain is into the bilge? Is this as designed or did it orginally have pump to pump out?

Sorry for the rambiling.