Why would I be taking on water?

[Hooper]

I know this may be very difficult to answer, but the knowledge on this board is impressive to say the least, so I am sure someone can point me in the right direction.

My 23 is in good shape, it has a solid transom, a nice hull that is free of blistering and yet I seem to be taking onn small amounts of water into my bilge as she sits at the dock. I notice when I step on board and my weigh shifts the boat, my pump licks on and sometimes will run for as much as thirty seconds.

I thought last season that it was my fault, leaving ball valves open to the baitwell which then spilled over into the bilge. But I haven't opened the valve this season and don't intend to as the live well is useless.

I don't think that water is penetrating the Bomar deck hatch in the transom splash well, as that appears to be dry (it's not under water as she sits). I have my forward fish hold plugged and still I am getting water in the bilge. Based on the history of SeaCrafts at dockside, I am concerned [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] . Does anyone have any ideas on where I may start to look to solve this issue?

And further, how do you guys feel about closing scuppers and draining all water into the bilge?

-Hooper