I've been fortunate to have a dry bilge, but I added battery operated water alarms (designed to be used in sumps in basements) to my bilge and lazarette so I'll be alerted if there's a problem.  The alarm is loud so anyone near the dock would be aware if there's a problem and need to get into the boat to check it out.  My slip neighbors know how to get into my boat if they see a problem that needs to be addressed quickly.  Like Peter and others, I don't have the carpet on the sole either so I can easily access the bilge.  I covered the plywood with stick on vinyl faux wood flooring and it turned out nicely.  It's also easy to replace a panel if needed.

Jesse Shumaker
S/V Zephyr

On Mon, Jan 24, 2022 at 9:56 AM Peter Nyberg <peter at sunnybeeches.com> wrote:

> I agree with the sentiment with which Roger ended his post.  I can think
> of very few scenarios where a bilge pump will avert a disaster.  His
> example of preventing a boat from sinking at the dock is one, but only in
> the situation where the boat is connected to shore power, which is
> configured to keep the battery charged, and where the charging rate is as
> least as great as the bulge pump power draw.
>
> One of the first projects I did on Silverheels (video #7:
> https://youtu.be/VywOqYXqzYg) was to replace the plywood and carpet floor
> installed by General Boat with oak flooring.  This was high on my to-do
> list because the carpet made the bilge difficult to access. Now, the bilge
> is easy to check, and when I find water (my hull-deck joint leaks), it's a
> quick job to take care of it with a bucket, a cup, and a sponge.
>
> Peter Nyberg
> Coventry, CT
> s/v Silverheels (1988/2016)
>
> > On 2022-01-24, at 08:08:25 EST, ROGER PIHLAJA wrote:
> >
> > ...
> > If you hit something and make a hole below the waterline, the inflow of
> > water will quickly overwhelm the bilge pump.  It’s really just an
> insurance
> > policy against your boat sinking at the dock when you are not there.
>
>