J/30 Class Association Forums J/30 Forum The Boat, Sails and Equipment Auto Bilge Installation

I have reviewed ALL of the forums on bilge pump installation(auto). The problem I have is that there are no drain holes from the bilge to either the Port or Starboard Setee. Hence no way to get the harness and hoses out of the bilge.

Questions:
1. Can I drill through the vermiculite to make an opening to the Setee(s)
2. If not, what is the mod I need to make to the Whale Pump so that I can discharge through that line?

drilling sounds so aggressive ... generally there is some open channel which we have used a 1/4 in. chisel to widen. definitely don't want to break that inter skin on core.

The use of vermiculite at that point now considered to have been a manufacturing mistake carried over from early j24 production.