Hole in lower end of Mercury

[IRS]

Help! Recently purchased a 2006 Mercury 25HP 4 stroke power trim and tilt. Unfortunately, just now noticed a hole in the port side of the lower unit housing. It is just forward of the water intake vent. It's approximately 1/8" to 3/16" diameter. Perfectly round. Doesn't appear jagged. Attached is a photo. Any help appreciated.
IRS

 

[jethro]

There can often be holes in strange places on outboards to allow coolant or exhaust gasses flow but I have to admit I haven't seen one in that specific spot before? I would take the serial number of the motor and look up a schematic of the lower unit and see if it looks normal.

 

[fishonsc]

I have the same motor. I will look when I get home.

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[DaleH]

OBs have a drain of that cavity immediatley above the oil-filled gear housing, but in that picture ... it sure looks like the area around the hole is ‘dimpled’ in a bit, almost like it was shot with a rifle!

No kidding ... we once found 22 bullets imbedded in the side of my brother’s Whaler gelcoat ... little bazztards across the lake were shooting at God knows what. Thankfully there was a Police report filed by some neighbors and they ended up paying for the ENTIRE boat to be re-done ... now looks new!

 

[Pappy]

Should just be a drain hole. Dimpling is a bit strange.
Outboards can and will collect water in all kinds of places. The engineers knew this and would place drains so that the water would drain instead of freeze which would crack a casting.

 

[fishonsc]

I have the same motor. A 06 mercury 25hp 4 stroke. It has the same hole as yours.

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[IRS]

Thank you tin men. I'll sleep better tonight knowing my Merc is "supposed" to have a hole in it. Appreciate your help.
IRS