Modification for 1448 Jon Boat

[turk0459]

First off, this is a great site and you guys have a lot of great mods. I've picked up a lot of good ideas. I'm mechanically inept, but after working my butt off for the past 30 yrs, I'm gonna start slowing down a bit and enjoy life. I picked up a 1448 for $150 so I figured if I screwed this up, I won't be out of a lot of cash, just some time. I don't know a lot about Jon Boat's, although I've learned a lot from you guys on this site. There is no hull plate on this boat, I don't know the mfg, weight capacities, or anything. My plan is to prime, paint, put some low decking, electical components/lights, a trolling motor, and maybe some day a 9.9 gas engine. This first couple of pics are something that is on the floor of the back of the boat. I'm thinking it's some way for the water to drain, but I don't know how it works. 1 shot is from inside the boat and the other is from the underside. The other pics for now are the start of the boat and stripping the boat. I will appreciate any idea's and/or constructive criticism! Look forward to posting my slow progress along the way! Thanks in advance!

 

[lckstckn2smknbrls]

It looks like some kind of self bailer? I don't know if I would trust it to work correctly. Maybe drill out the rivets remove it and rivet a piece of aluminum over the hole.

 

[thad.]

Was there a built-in livewell at some point?
That's what the fitting looks like on one of our flats with a livewell in the middle seat. Maybe somebody tore it out and sealed the hole. Or didn't seal the hole.

 

[PartsMan]

Starcraft used to offer a "siphon drain" kind of like that.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/starcraftbrochures/3878756201/in/set-72157622209431230/
Get some speed built up and open the valve. All the water in you bilge gets sucked out.
Great if it works. Bad if it leaks.