Bilge running too much

Just got this 87 SN a couple weeks ago. Love it so far. This weekend I noticed that the bilge seemed to be running more than usual. When everyone was out of the boat swimming, I slid the back seat out of the way and removed the transom panel. When I looked through the small opening between the floor and the gas tank, I could see a small trickle of water coming in. It looks to be coming from the transom. Only thing protruding the transom is the exhaust ports and the swim platform brackets. I could see the top of the rudder seal and there wasnt anything coming in there. I suspect the problem are the brackets.

I had already checked the drive shaft seal earlier and it was not leaking a bit.

The previous owner has got silicon smeared all around the bolt heads on the outside. Also the little wood screw in the bottom of the bracket is a joke. It looks factory, but what were they thinking here? None if the four little screws will tighten.

I have seen a way to make custom mounts that allow the platform to be removed. I dont really need the platform to be removable, but it would be nice. This is going to be my first project this off season... got several ideas already... just need to find some 316 stainless.

In the mean time, what would be the easiest way to fix this (or at least slow it down). I have always been of the school to NEVER put silicon below the waterline. I am a big fan of the 3M Marine Sealant. I cant really tighten the bolts without removing the tank, but that may be what I have to do.

Are you sure you have bolts? I don't know at which year they changed over but my 84 has lags, not bolts that go all the way through. If you do have bolts then yes, you'll have to take the tank out.

Jeff,
Now that you say that, the two brackets in the middle may have lags. I kno the outer one on the port side is a bolt, cause the nut is on the outside. I'll check it out later today.

Here is a shot of how one guy made his removable. I am thinking of something along these lines. nice and strong. Really looks nice, just hate to see that he used silicon sealant and not the 3M 5200.

Peter,
Yea, I know that most of the time the weight is from the top of the swim platform. There are times when there is a force up from the bottom. Ever watched the waves slap the bottom of the deck? Over time these little screws will fail.

I tapped 1/4"-20 Threads directly into the fiberglass, for the bottom bracket holes. Coated the stainless machine screws w/3M 5200.