Splashwell scuppers

[Callipygian]

I finally got a chance to sea trial my 1978 20' MA. Runs like a bat out of hell with its 175 Suzuki but the engine appears too heavy for the boat. The transom is original and the boat has a jack plate to raise the engine 5". The problem is that the scuppers are underwater when the boat is at rest and need to be plugged. As the boat comes on plane they do come out of the water but its a pain to back and pull the plugs. When running below planing speed water fills the splash well and has nowhere to drain. Is there a good solution to this problem?
Geoffrey