MJM,
I have seen on some of the older models where there is an opening in the  
lazzerette which would allow liquid to seep into the cockpit foam and work its  
way to the bilge. My boat is not set up like that. The lazzerette is completely 
 sealed off from the rest of the boat. If the gas did find its way into the 
foam,  it could also melt the foam, causing a sponginess on the cockpit floor 
and also  take much longer to dry out.
 
Rummy