The boat was used 4 times (total 4 hours) over a 2 day period in calm water but accumulated around 2 ounces of water ... during the first 3 hours the motor was being used mostly at full throttle ... although the motor isn't a stepper it appears to have very definitive POLES which may attribute to the grumbling sound it makes at full throttle ... I did notice a new sound with the motor during the last of the 4 outings which was more of a screaming noise at full throttle so didn't push the boat as hard that last time out ... My thoughts after finding water in the bottom of the boat was this new noise may be related to the water infiltration.
The challange with greasing the shafts would be how to gain access to the Motor shaft .. the manufacturer glued the motor housing in place so without breaking the glue bonds the only access to the shaft appears to be via the back of the prop
the anchor and other gunnel holes are high enough out of the water that in calm conditions they shouldn't take on water. Will try the bathtub idea just to be sure.