Purpose for the 2 Holes on Stern @ the Swim Step?

[Chuck.Philips]

I have a vopule of questions regarding the two holes in the hull located at the stern on the swim step. 

I seem to get water into the boat from these openings.  I have tightened all of the hose clamps that I can find that are connected to the plastic hoses; however, I get water leaking onto the carpet in the aft cabin near the door.  The only place I think the water might be coming from is those two holes as there is no water in the bilge.  It seems like I only get this water when I am sailing or motoring downwind and when there are passengers sitting on the stern seats and these two holes are submerged allowing water to seep in.

My questions are:
1.  What is the purpose of these two holes?
2.  Has anyone else ever put plugs into those holes when sailing or motoring so water can't come in through them?

I have found 2 screw-in rubber/expandable plugs on Amazon that I think I could put in the two holes while at the dock before sailing and then remove them when I am back at the dock or on my mooring. Suggestions or advice will be appreciated.

Thanks
Chuck
#1725 "Forever Young"

[krafty81]

How about a photo?

[Paulus]

Chuck,
I would read the message posted by Justin Steele.  One hole is for the automatic pump located in the bilge and the other for the manual pump.  I had a similar problem and found that the hose from the manual pump had a small crack in it on the bottom side just before it entered the thru hull.  Only leaked when I was under power. Something to look at.
Paul

[Jim Hardesty]

Chuck,
From your hull number looks like you have a MKII and from your description I think you are describing the outlets for the propane locker drain and both of the cockpit drains, they T together. A picture would help. If they are sound, I don't think that's your issue and it would be unsafe to plug the propane locker drain.
When I first got Shamrock had a similar issue, after a hard sail the carpet was damp.  The first thing for me was cleaning the limber holes ie drain holes intended to get water from the aft end to the bilge.  They are located next to the hull through the stringers about half inch holes. Used wire and shop vac. That solved the wet carpet problem.  Then I started looking for leaks and found the emergency rudder hatch O-ring to be bad. I got a new one from a hardware store.  Problem solved. 
IMHO It's good to assemble the emergency rudder at the dock just to check out how it fits.
Hope this helps,
Jim
   

[Chuck.Philips]

Jim, you are exactly right ... I just got back from the boat where I looked up the plumbing plan in the Manual.  The hole on the starboard side is for the Propane Locker drain and the one on the port side is for the two cockpit drains. I'll check the integrity of both sets of plastic pipe and make sure all of those hose clamps are tight.  I'm hoping to get a better view of everything from the aft cabin as I am not agile enough anymore to climb around under the port and starboard seat/storage areas. 

Thanks

Chuck

[Jim Hardesty]

Chuck,
I would suggest you look under the aft berth, under the engine area and in the locker where the engine raw water thru hull is located to clean out the limber holes.  If I remember correctly that's where most of the blockage was.  Mostly saw dust, wood chips and some fiberglass trimmings from the original build.
Jim

[Ron Hill]

Chuck : Two holes?? Photo please!!

A thought