I'm trying to add a recessed cockpit to a OneOceanKayak's Storm SLT. I'm using Vaclav's smallest cockpit layout (16" x 29"). I don't want a roller's recess. This kayak will be for my wife. I just want to recess the coaming enough to get it flush with the front and rear decks to ease entry and reduce bow splash. Is there a general rule of thumb for how far forward and back the recess needs to be to bring the coaming flush?

I've made up a paper template that is 2 1/2" inches longer both front and rear and only 5/8" wider than the cockpit template. I've laid this out on the boat. Vaclav's station plans already included windows on stations 9 and 10 that can be easily cut out after the deck is stripped to allow the cockpit to be cut out. The recess opening is outside these windows and running across station 11. So I'd like to stop now before I finish stripping the deck and extend those windows a bit.

Pictures to show what I'm attempting can be found on the following Flickr set:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/91958255@N04/sets/72157635541586492/

Thanks,
Greg