Hole in transom

[ghhuff]

My older 16 has a two inch cut out hole on the cockpit side of the transom in the centerline below the tiller.  Any idea what purpose that might serve?  Thanks.

[Bob23]

I've no idea but it's not a bad place for an access panel. I cut one into my 23 below the cockpit seat level to get access to the bolts that hold the rudder gudgeon on. Get one of those round, waterproof access panels. They come in different sizes.
Bob23

[NateD]

An older CP16, so it has the lazarette at the aft end of the cockpit? They should have been able to access the bolts for the rudder gudgeons through the lazarette. But it's always possible they couldn't/didn't want to contort themselves to get at the bolts through there.

Is it possible some type of gauge used to be there? Depth, speed, that kind of thing. Evidence of a transducers or paddle wheel on the hull somewhere?

[hoddinr]

Sounds like someone cut the hole to get a ratchet in there to tighten or replace rudder gudgeon bolts.

Ron

[Salty19]

Just a guess, but a two inch hole might have been used for the main electrical wire to power a trolling motor with battery below, or perhaps a gas line with tank below (which would't be safe of course, but who knows.   Seems to small for an access hole?

[ghhuff]

Thanks for all the great ideas.  The lazerette is aft, so I do not think it is an access hole.  No evidence of speed or depth mechanisms. But depth finder might fit well there.