Thanks Mike, again my apologies. I never intended to come across the way I apparently did. I fully understand your rationale for suggesting building with bulkheads. However, although this is the conventional wisdom, I have not found a boat without bulkheads takes on any significant amount of water in any conditions. Also, I prefer a clean look and would hate to spend so much time building a beautiful boat and then cut holes in it. Again I acknowledge there are many really neat hatch systems that have been developed by some of the more experienced builders that minimize the appearance of hatches. It all comes down to personal preference and experience. This is my way. Different strokes I guess. Perhaps, depending on experience it might be best to start with a bulkheaded boat and then build another later without (there will undoubtedly be a second noat). Good luck, focus on the fun when it's completed and don't agonize too much over the details at this stage. There will be lots to agonize over later