We have a problem: There do not appear to be any1998 C Dory 25's. I ran the registration list, and confirmed that there are none there....The early "Cruise Ships" were mostly1995 with one in 1996. There is one which has a date of 1983 which I doubt, a couple of 1994, may be one of the 5 or six which were classified as 1995 boats, although there is a 1997 and 1999 listed, again, I don't believe any were built then.. The fist of the "modern" layout (hulls were all the same, but some modifications to deckhouse occurred with builds were made maybe in 2000/01 and definitely 02. We need the HIN to see what year the boat was built in.
When you have an album, then you can post a photo there and then link to open forums. Inquire of Da Nag or TyBoo (they are #2 & 3 in the "our C Dory database.) for an album. Alternately send me a Private message, I will return my email address and then you can send the photograph, which I will post in my album with credits, and then post on this forum for you.
Most likely you are looking at the area just forward of the console in the midline, between the V berths. That is foreward bilge. The water can get in via the anchor locker- (Drain leaking, or no drain, the brass strip centerline bow--these are often drilled too long and have to be rebedded with a larger screw. Or leaking through the hull to deck joint pop rivet. If this occurs,, the rivet is removed, a small bolt, washer and nut inserted with 5200 and snugged up. You can easily solve any of these issues. This is a non cored part of the hull. You want to look for moisture in the bulkheads and cockpit floor, and in the cabin floor just forward of the aft cabin bulkhead. Also be sure that the water passages in the engine are open. The cockpit floor often has core problems. More problematical is the actual hull and fuel tank, plus the aft cabin bulkhead allowing water from under the fuel tank and bottom of the floor, with water getting into the cabin from aft.