Bilge pumps and boats in general

4 months ago before going overseas I put water in the bilge to check the auto bilge pump and everything was fine.
Doing a bit of engine work yesterday and the boat had a bit more water in the bilge than normal, a lot of heavy rain in the past fortnight.
Not enough water to start the float operated pump but I thought to clear much of it with the pump, just to find it wasn't working. Tipped it on its side which usually starts it up, without success. Checked power to the terminals and all good.
Pulled it out and tested straight on the battery and nothing.
Azure F305 came over and joined me to give me a hand which proved very useful. You might recall he secured MB a couple of months ago after a savage Sydney blow when I was overseas. A very kind thing to do so it was great to meet up with him yesterday.
Only once in nearly 14 years has MB had enough water in the bilge to activate the bilge pump but I wasn't comfortable not having a working pump. This morning I bought a new Rule 800gph auto pump at Whitworths , $139.90. Ouch. I probably bought the dead one in about 2007 so didn't ask for a replacement under warranty.
Fitted it this morning and now have leaks at nearly every joint in the hose that I had to disconnect to replace the pump. Now I have to buy 5 metres of bilge hose, new clamps and redo it all.
Why isn't anything on a boat straightforward???
The good news is the engine is working fine. Azure and I checked the tappets, no adjustment needed after about 500 hours running. She started immediately so warmed her up for awhile and we completed a partial oil change (I didn't warm the oil up enough for my new 12V oil extraction pump so gave up after awhile. Getting the oil good and thin takes a long time). The oil has only done 20 hours so I was just doing it because I felt like it.
Deniz had cleaned the bottom sides so a quick drive and she cruises close to 6 kts.
Now to take her sailing to check that side of her.
Lord Howe is a real possibility this year.