Thanks all for your advice, I think I'll hold off until it needs it.
I guess the rubber seal on the lid might be the weak point once it gets older......
i have a 1981 laser and it looks like there is an inspection prt on the right of the degerboard slot but its a waterproof compartment, i dont know if it doubles as an inspection port, but was it factory installed or not??
Will the drain plug be enough to keep moisture out of the hull if i leave the compartment i had in, and when i store it just take out the drain plug.
If you leave the drain plug out during storage is it enough to air out the hull??
It looks like a standard inspection port to me. I have one that looks similar/same made by RWO I think. It has a palstic bucket insert that can be easily removed - is this what you are describing?