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

So we recently were replacing our bilge pump float and it seemed that we should give the bilge a long overdue cleaning....not sure what we were thinking. Well we seemed to run into an issue getting the bilge to drain from the aft section to where the bilge pump is(in the center section). It sure seems that there should be a drain hole and it felt like there was a hole on both side but after poking and prodding for too long we were unable to get any bilge water to pass the aftsection to the center section.
I am hoping someone can help....is there an opening that just needs more work?

There is a hole so water can flow freely between each of the sumps. A few years ago on Rhapsody I ended up taking a drill and cleaning out the holes. I used a long shaft and redrilled the hole in the narrow slot in the aft sump, through the pipe used for the table support. I then did the same for each of the sumps. I find that these holes need to be cleaned with a coat hanger periodically because stuff collects and grows stuff, closing the hole.

Thanks Bill I appreciate the information and also the pictures that you have on your site for the engine rebuild and the stanchion repair
Doug