> Hello All:

> Two --

> I capsized only once during the trip. The amount of water I had to
> pump/sponge/tip out made me wish I had found time to install the bulkheads
> _before_ the trip. So they are at the top of my list now. I have this
> problem though. On the forward one, I don't know how I will fit it in. If
> I make it small enough to fit in the forward hatch, how will it fit
> tightly to the larger part of the kayak aft of the hatch? If I go through
> the cockpit to get to it, how will I get it past the footpeg rails? By the
> way, the bolts securing the rails do not penetrate the hull, but are
> fastened to some tee-nuts behind a small strip of wood glassed into the
> hull. How will I fit the bulkhead?

> Thanks to Nick and to all my boat's "aunts" and
> "uncles" on this bbs.

> Sincerely,

> Ed Valley

Hello Ed,

I'll look forward to your trip report!

I'd like to suggest a possible technique to fit your bulkheads -- build them in two parts. You could split them in half either horizontally or vertically. Fit and place one half and then the other - if you use foam for your material you could simply glue the two halves together once they are positioned. If you use plywood or a stripped panel for your bulkhead material, you could apply glass tape to both sides of the seam after they are fitted and in position. Either way you should end up with a bulkhead that is structurally as sound as if it were a solid piece. By the way, this technique works great even if your bulkheads are not an afterthought -- fitting is made MUCH easier.

Joe Greenley

Redfish Kayaks