> Just finishing up a Pygmy Coho, and doing stuff like putting in the seat,
> foot pedals and deck rigging.

> setting up to glue in blocks for the no drill into the hull adjustable
> foot pedals, and put in hip braces to install their stock seat (a curved
> piece of plastic with some foam glued to it).

> I'm trying to figure the best way, and to get my nerve up to try to cut
> out the hatch openings.

> On the pygmay, you use the cutout as the hatch, so a clean cut is
> important. I'm thinking of trying a 1/16 straight bit in a router, or one
> of the these drill and carve bits for sheetrock and tile work. The
> instructions recomend a series of 1/16 inch holes and then using a jig saw
> blade, worked by hand. Any other ideas?

> Over the top, the boat looks done, now I have to clutter up the deck with
> hatches, bungies, etc. This may be the hardest part.

> thanks dave

Dave, I agonized over the same thing. I decided the jigsaw was too scary for me. I bought a handle at a home center made by Bosch. I allows you to hold a jigsaw or sawzall blade by hand and can be held at different angles. I bought a blade that cuts on the down stroke (Bosch?). I traced the pattern on the deck and pushed a utility knife with a new blade thru the line. It went thru easily. I then pushed the jigsaw blade thru this hole and very slowly cut the line. I could start and stop anytime without problems.The cuts came out perfect and with a little sanding and epoxy the edges are smooth like they were cut with a CNC router.

Just take your time and find the right blade. I highly recommend the Bosch hande to hold the blade. You could use a visegrip to hold the blade but it lacked the control I wanted. Practice on scrap before commiting to the deck.

BTW/ the factory backband is very comfortable. I just replaced mine with a storebought one and it is not really any better. The thermarest stadium seat needs some help. I carved a minicel foam seat and it is much better.

Good luck,

Larry C.