Trapped water between ribs

[Wildey]

Hi folks. Reposting this here for more general exposure. Restoring a Lowe aluminum 1600 V, 1989.
It has a flat aluminum floor that extends back to the bilge area which is from the last rib to the transom.
Problem is, water between the ribs and under the floor cannot get to the bilge. Water stays trapped between the ribs, which are riveted tightly to the hull with no passage through/under for the water to get to the bilge.
Looks like a design flaw. All my other aluminum boats have a channel under the ribs for the water to drain rearward.
Anyone else seen this ? What do/would you do about it ?
Thanks

 

[airshot]

Usually there is a slight gap between rib and floor for water to seep thru, but it can easily become blocked with debris.. I have taken a drill and drilled a 5/16 or 3/8" hole on the front and back side of the rib as clise to the floor as you can. Not ideal but it does work. If you can, a pressure washer will flush out the debris from that small gap, but will probably fill back in quickly.

 

[Wildey]

yeah ... usually. but as I said, not in this case. thanks
I'm not taking the entire aluminum floor up to drill holes.
Been that way since 1989, so be it.
**** POOR design. Lowe is cheap entry level stuff, to be expected, I guess.
Thanks again,
W