If you're not going to use the boats for more than daytripping, then I don't think you'll really need hatches. If you're planning to use the boat for overnight trips or longer, hatches might be a good idea. I think it would be a pain to dig out camping gear from the end of the boat through the cockpit.

As for bulkheads, you could use drybags instead to keep water out in the event of a capsize. DO NOT paddle without either drybags in the end or sealed bulkheads or a sea sock--you'd be inviting a lot of trouble. If you capsize, bags or bulkheads will keep a lot of water out and make re-entry that much easier. (Which is a serious safety consideration if you're in cold water, waves, or bad weather.)

Shawn

> I am going to build 2 CLC Patuxent 17.5s this summer. I am considering NOT
> building hatches and bulkheads into these designs. What are the pros and
> cons of not installing both bulkheads and hatches?

> Thanks,

> Steve