Re: question concerning water
I have owned that exact boat model before, except mine was 1 - 2 years newer.
4 - 5 hours in the inland waterway brand new I would drain no less than .5 gallons. 5 years later I was draining a gallon or better after 4-5 hours on the lake/waterway.
Water is sneaky, it will find a way eventually.
I would check the hull well for cracks. Other than that it could be as simple as a seal on the plug or as extensive as pulling the sterndrive.
Boat ownership means that you must be able to do one of these two things, lift a finger to reach for a wrench or lift a finger to reach for your wallet. Of all the powersports I am involved with (everything but snowmobiles) has an element of maintenance, boats are at the top of the list IMO.
Personally I would not fret over a gallon and a half of water. According to your story, 4 -5 hours on the lake will produce maybe 3 gallons. Out of the thousands of gallons that hull could displace, the three is a drop in the bucket, and easily handled by the bilge.
