Howdy Et! I'm still around, mostly just listen in and let the newer folks have their turn.

John, mighty nice to hear from you too! I flattened the deck as much as I was able last time I did a re-work on this boat to remove the original oversize recreational cockpit with a sea kayak cockpit and recess back in '06, I think. See:
http://ngc704.home.comcast.net/~ngc704/Cormorant%20Rebuild/

I waver on whether to take more off, or call 2" plenty. I lean toward the latter, although fear I end up wishing I had been bolder after it's too late. I also consider raising the seal a little since the only tippy boat I recognize is my feral K-1.

Jay, I thought I had all my bases covered, had lined the holes with 1/2" PVC water line. I know it doesn't sound very plausible, but it appears there was never any water incursion from without, that the blocks didn't like their job "self-rotted" somehow. I'll try to get off my dead butt and post some pictures later, but terribly busy preparing for a trip that popped up unexpectedly.