IMHO (FWIW) I would recommend against displacing any bilge volume. Some day
you may have a presistant leak and the larger the bilge volume, the more
time you have to find and fix the problem before the water gets to your
batteries or other electrical systems. Normally the elect. bilge pump
splices are are about 2 ft above the pump (due to the limited length of the
original leads).

I have concern in my present boat because 80% of my bilge(keel) volume is in
integral tanks. These tanks also break the bulge into 3 zone, so I have to
have three seperate bulge pumping sumps/systems.

Back to your problem.. Use what ever means available to clean this bilge,
vacuum extentions,etc., elimanate any leaks so it stays dry. Count your
blessings for the extra volume when you take solid water down the hatch.

Steve
s/v Good Intentions