I priced Beckson screw-in deckplates two weeks ago at a local boat supply store. They were $8 for the 4 inch, $11 for the 6 inch. Dennis

> That's the way the earlier --- pre-hatch option --- North Bays were, Dean.
> Depending on how much real estate you have in the forward or rear
> bulkheads, you can install deckplates that have screw-in covers with
> "o" rings that seal pretty well (i.e., about as well as a VCP
> hatch, and better than most others). Without deck hatches on the NB, these
> little (four inch size, from memory) deckplates are necessary to air out
> the forward and aft compartments, but do well enough for carrying long,
> very thin items --- up to a Gatorade bottle or medium sized peanut butter
> jar will fit through. Tent poles, no problem. Tent with a tough
> side-loading compression sack, probably. Easy? No. If you have enough
> bulkhead, a six inch deckplate would let you load most anything you could
> carry in an old Nordkapp with the small, round hatchs --- or maybe more,
> since the stuff wouldn't have to make a 90 degree turn in process of
> loading. There's probably a good structural rule about how much bulkhead
> you can give up without compromising the hull strength, but I'd use common
> sense in looking at options.

> (Sidebar: since I installed my forward bulkhead about six inches further
> aft than designed, I can actually reach the deckplate --- installed off
> center to allow the attachment of a footpump on the starboard side --- and
> could probably use the forward compartment for storage of small items, as
> well.)

> Deckplates are relatively inexpensive. Probably about $10 for the four
> inchers, maybe $15 for the six inchers. Any good boating supply place will
> have them. Viking is my first choice.

> Jack Martin