> I'm looking at installing the deck on my CLC Chesapeake 17 next week. I'm
> wondering what words of wisdom you folks have on what kinds of things I
> may want to build into my hull before installing the deck.

> For example, ..... how about installing a footpump?

I'm in the same position you are, Roger --- only with a CLC North Bay, so I have even less room than you do for mistakes. I've had very good luck with using minicell foam for footbraces and back supports in previous hardshell kayaks, so I'm in the process of designing and cutting minicell blocks to fit now. I built a forward bulkhead a little larger than the one which came with the kit, moved its mounting position about six inches aft of the design point, and am building a minicell "plug" for a footbrace, resting against the bukhead, and am cutting away the sections which cover the Henderson "Chimp" foot pump that I'm installing on the bulkhead itself. (This is work in process, so I can't tell you it's going to work --- just the stuff worrying about before I clamp on my deck.) Am a big fan of foot pumps, and have trimmed down the stock Henderson to meet the limitations of this North Bay cockpit --- and the price was right! ($82.50 on sale through Fawcett's, normally $142 list, less whatever discount is available.) The back support is another thing that is a little easier to construct now, and is being custom fit to enhance entrance and rolling.

Good luck --- wouldn't mind comparing notes a few weeks down the road. (Even to see what we may have missed!

Jack Martin