Hi Monty,
Saw the photos on your other post. Very nice looking
boat.
Dry bilges are certainly achievable, even with
steel. Had a
steel boat and the bilges, except right under the stuffing box where I had the necessary drip, where dusty. Same with my last
fiberglass boat. Can't say the same about the
current boat but, like you, I'm getting to it.
Sure oil is a rust preventative but mixed with water I think the "benefits" would be mixed at best. Not to mention oily bilges tend to develop rather a bad
odor which detracts from the
live aboard experience and can lead to solo sailing.