85 23' sea craft scupper drain questions

[shine]

With a 300 on a bracket the standard sole height is probably right at or below the waterline, at least at the transom it is.

they are drains, not scuppers

That's a very bad set up in my opinion, you should have a way to drain the cockpit even if it means check valves of some sort. Loss of ability to self bail is a huge compromise in the seaworthiness of the boat.