VA Whaler wrote:
This sounds very familiar to what I'm going through with my 1979 22' Revenge. The FO allowed the transom drain (splashwell drain) to erode and did not do anything about it. After reading the horror stories about the drains last summer/fall on this site I decided to closely inspect my thru-hulls. I found the transom drain was in pieces. Afterwards the visions of the several inches of murky water in the splashwell that was present the day I picked her up kept coming to mind. Needless to say the wood around the transom drain was soaking wet and it has been drying out ever since. I really do not want to seal it up until I know I have done everything possible (within my limited means) to rectify the issue.

Being stored outside has not helped speed up the drying process but at least it is under cover and no new water is getting into the splashwell. When able I have been sticking a paper towel in the drain hole. Now when I remove the towel after 12+ hours, it is only slightly damp where before you could ring it out.

My question is, should I drill a 1/4 hole below the transom drain and see if water wicks out or should I just go fishing and enjoy the boat for as long as it lasts? (I see no evidence of blistering around the transom drain and the transom is solid as a rock when you tilt the engine up and down)