mercruiser raw water disribution housing bypass

[FishStretcher]

So I have a '02 Mercruiser 350 Mag Horizon MPI. It has the heat exchanger cooling system (closed cooling) and a bravo 3. I was going to sea trial it today, but the water distribution had a fast dripping leak. I had tried with the air pump to reseat the valve in there. No joy.

My mechanic friend says that it is basically a $200 elbow fitting that makes it easier to drain the boat in winter. Which is pretty much what it looks like to me. So it is two hoses, four clamps and an unreliable expensive housing below sea level. Seems like replacing it with a hose would be a plus all around.

This is all very important because:
A- I go on vacation soon
B- Sinking is bad
C- Bigshrimpin wants my performance #s

Any thoughts?

Also, this thing seemed to warm up to 160F pretty quickly. I hope that isn't an indicator of something else.