I think the Chesapeak fleet measurer needs a reality check. Personally I can see no way that opening ports could be speed enhancing. They absolutely have to be hevier than the original stuff that's glued in mine. When open they should do noting more than create extra turbulence.
Anyway, these boats are getting way too old to be picky to this extent. You mentioned a complete refit job (I'm envious, I'm just starting mine), how can opening ports have any measurable effect relative to the, almost certainly unmeasurable, effect of your refit job. How much water weight did you take out of your balsa core, for example? How much weight did you add in epoxy properly sealing things that were never properly sealed? Lets measure the varinsh. What abouts bits and pieces of interior wood that has fallen apart and been replaced? Was it replaced with something of the same original weight? You just can't tell because what you have is nice and light with dry rot...etc.???
As an aside, did you do the thru hulls yourself? Any tips?
