Dry or wet bilge?

[Indy]

I'd like to say mine is only wet from the stuffing box, but I am working on multiple cabin top leaks and the ridiculous amount of open space between the sliding hatch cover and the boards that lets quite a bit of water in whenever we get a downpour out of the West (which is like every downpour, basically).

[Sam]

I have a 1966 Morgan 34 with 3/4 keel/centerboard. This produces a deep "v" shaped bilge aft engine. There is always a couple of inches of water in the bilge from heavy rains overpowering the cockpit lazzerette drains, air scoops, keel step mast, drips from stuffing box and cutlass bearing. There are two direct to batteries auto bilge pumps in the bilge [one on top of the other one] to insure water does not ever excessively accumulate. Any slight "odor" is handled by emptying a bottle of cheap $1 dish soap in the bilge, foaming in it up with water from a hose - letting it settle and pumping it out. I do this in the spring, once mid season and winter haul out. No real issues for 40 + years. FYI