> What about an ethafoam bulkhead that fits at a rib line and then you just
> use bead of spray foam to seal w/ the skin. The idea is to not push out
> the skin to make it too obvious and the foam would deflect somewhat.

> Or what about literally sewing a bulkhead out of 'skin' and using silicone
> sealant or whatever at the stringers - ie the 'bulkhead' would be betw the
> ribs. (Have about 3" or more of free edge for sealing.) The bulkhead
> would be flexible and non structural, but would allow
> compartmentalization.

> And could you make a hatch that just zippered in?

> -mike

A flexible bulkhead would be the least obtrusive but one is always left with the problem of sealing around the keelson, the chines and the gunwhales. As the canvas skin in stretched and shrunk unto the frame there is no surefire way of sealing the skin to these elements. One could use thinned out paint to soak through the skin in the hope of getting adhesion but I feel that through use even this adhesion might come loose and destroy the seal. Another factor would be water pressure, with a flooded cockpit 8 or 9 inches of water puts a lot of pressure on the bulkhead so the joint of the bulkhead to the skin can't be just a contact sealant. In the interest of dispensing with sea socks a bulkhead even if not completely watertight may be an advantage but then some really like their sea socks, I've never had an opportunity to try one.

Have you seen a waterproof zipper? Also the skin should be tight and zippers aren't designed to pull the skin back tight again?

Bram