The man and the bucket theory

 As a shipwright in the Royal Canadian Navy I understand that during critical damage control situations one must address the flood by slowing it until it can be handled by the pumps.  I have a soft wood plug tied off at all of the ten through hulls.  (Ten seems a lot to me).   My bilge is clean and clear thanks to the removable plug,  degreaser,  and elbow grease.     The man and the bucket theory would seem reasonable until you realize that you can't actually get a bucket into the bilge.   What I witnessed today was the engines ability to move a substantial amount of water in a remarkably quick time.  Closing or throttling the overboard valve is obvious.    Like I said "I love my Vega" it has a capasity which other sailboats do not.  As undefinable or unmeasurable the volume or capacity of a 13 HP engine might be it is more than none.   Which somewhat makes  up for the ten through hulls