: Putting a hatch without a vent will cause pressure build-up with
: temperature changes, and can cause delamination and even
: cracking. What you need is at minimum a vent to vent pressure.
: This vent has to be left open when storing and transporting, and
: you have to remember to close it when you take the boat on the
: water, OR the better alternative is a gore-tex vent. I use them
: in wood surfboards, and the one I use is actually a vented leash
: plug (used for tying the board leash, but has a gore-tex vent
: built in.) Available here:

: http://greenlightsurfsupply.com/ventedleashplug.aspx

: The Gore Tex fabric allows air to pass but not water. They have
: been tested on surfboards and proven to work. Just add one to
: each bulkhead and you will be fine. My suggestion, however, is
: to utilize all that space by at least building a hatch in the
: rear bulkhead (easier to reach than the front). Deck hatches for
: boating are easy to install in flat bulkheads. You will want to
: open the hatch when storing the kayak to let pressure and
: moisture out.

Vent can just be an 1/8" hole in the middle of the bulkhead or for that matter the middle of the hatch if installed. As mentioned earlier no matter how the boat floats it'll be above the water. If you decide later you need to seal it for some reason a sheet metal screw will plug the hole.

Bill H.