I have noticed the reference to "ram water" as the effect of water pressure on a thru hull located below the water line when underway, possibly forcing water into the holding tank or whatever it is connected to via the hose. Does the ram water effect only apply to thru hull's located forward of amidships or does it occur anywhere on the hull below the waterline? I ask the question because in my Hunter 36 the engine exhaust thru hull is located on the hull about 6 inches from the transom and not on the transom itself, in which case, while underway, if there is a ram water effect, would it not tend to increase the back pressure on the exhaust rather than decrease the pressure, as I have heard pros and cons on this subject. I can visualize a decrease in pressure if the thru hull was located on the transom and underwater while underway, but not sure it is the same when it is not mounted on the transom, as in my case. A simple analogy is the case of the drains that are installed on the transom of dinghies so that the dinghy can be bailed by simply opening the drain stopper located on the transom while underway. But if the drain were located on the hull a short distance from the transom, would the effect be the same? Thanks again for your thoughts on this. Ernie