Transom bilge drain location

[Kleanbore]

My next project is the bilge drain on my 74 DSII. Centered low on the transom, below the cockpit drain and line with the auto bailer and the cockpit drain is what appears to be a bilge drain hole that was covered up. To be honest, this appears to be a job done at the O'day factory. A bilge drain was added to the starboard side of the transom at the top edge of the water line stripe and about 2 inches from the starboard side.
The location of this drain is making me scratch my head as it seems to me the drain should be as low on the transom as possible to completely drain the bilge. Since I will be replacing the auto bailer, I thought that might allow me to see what is going on with the covered up bilge drain. Does anyone know there is a liner between the inner and outer hulls where the thru-hull for the auto bailer is? I am either going to install a new bilge drain on the port side to match the one on the starboard, or open up the one that was covered up and install a new drain there. Thoughts or suggestions?

[JGREGORY@PARKER.COM]

I have a drain in the same location on my '72 DSII that is covered up too. I believe reading somewhere that there was an opening (vinyl tube?) around the auto-bailer in this location that was prone to plugging with debris (fiberglass remnants, foam, etc...). I have seen pictures of DS II's with a brass drain fitting in that spot. I have been tempted to drill mine back out, but have not done it yet.

John Gregory

[Kleanbore]

I purchased a new auto-bailer from D & R Marine, so I think I am going to remove the old bailer first. If it looks like I can remove the putty and install a bilge drain in that location I will do that and post what I find here. If anyone has removed the auto-bailer from their DSII and knows what I will find, please let me know.

Take care,
Kerry