I was concerned enough
about this potential problem that I contacted Hunter prior to buying my 1986 model boat. They told me that there are two rectangular holes next to where the shaft log enters the boat aft of the engine and that water collecting under the engine would exit there and run along the stringers to the bilge. On my boat, these rectangular holes are quite high in the engine compartment and may be higher than the forward lip of the area under the engine. As such, I doubt they would be much good in draining water (presumably from the stuffing box) to the bilge. This "problem" turned out not to be a problem at all as I adjusted the OEM stuffing box so that it drips very little and still keeps the shaft relatively cool (actually just a bit warmish...) when the engine is running. I also have an oil absorbent mat under the engine and use a turkey baster to suck up and dispose of any water that drips from the stuffing box. On my boat, that only seems to be a few ounces of water after running the engine for some time. If, for some reason, I could not adjust the drip from the gland appropriately, I think I would consider installing a PSS Dripless gland.