> Make a bulkhead with a hatch in it. Cut a hole in the bulkhead about the
> size of the hatch you want. Cut another piece of wood to overlap that
> hole, and sandwich a strip of foam weatherstripping between them.

> Secure the cover to the bulkhead with thumbscrews or wing nuts. When you
> store it, you back off the muts a few turns to allow some air circulation.
> ( or remove the hatch completely)

> When you paddle you tighten the bolts a bit more to seal the compartment
> watertight. Or, don't tighten the bolts all the way, and the hatch will
> 'breathe' a bit, but not flood when the cockpit fills with water.

> If you later decide to go with deck hatches you can just leave the
> temporary bulkhead hatch bolted down, or, remove it and epoxy a piece of
> plywood over the hole in the bulkheads. It is not in a real visible
> location, so neatness counts, but perfection is not required.

> With two hatches -- deck AND bulkhead, you get more access to the gear,
> and by leaving them both off you get more air flowing through to help dry
> out the compartment if it gets damp.

> Hope this helps.

> Paul Jacobson

I like this hidden hatch idea a lot except I think it would limit the size of the hatch opening on most kayaks to maybe only 4 inches high or so. I assume you are only referring to the rear of the kayak as you would never be able to reach the forward bulkhead through the cockpit. It sounds like it could work fine in the rear if you packed all your gear in flat wide packages and slid them in and out.