> Two --

> I capsized only once during the trip. The amount of water I had to
> pump/sponge/tip out made me wish I had found time to install the bulkheads
> _before_ the trip. So they are at the top of my list now. I have this
> problem though. On the forward one, I don't know how I will fit it in. If
> I make it small enough to fit in the forward hatch, how will it fit
> tightly to the larger part of the kayak aft of the hatch? If I go through
> the cockpit to get to it, how will I get it past the footpeg rails? By the
> way, the bolts securing the rails do not penetrate the hull, but are
> fastened to some tee-nuts behind a small strip of wood glassed into the
> hull. How will I fit the bulkhead?

What about a verticle slit (non-penatrating) that would allow the bulkhead to be folded enough to get by the foot pegs. Then add adhesive in the slit once you flatten it out.

> Third --

> During the trip I had the opportunity to sit in some other boats and found
> the Raven by Eddyline very comfortable. I will try to duplicate that fit
> in my boat. But I noticed a difference that I don't know how I will
> duplicate. That is, the seat in the Raven is a few inches forward of the
> back edge of the cockpit. In my boat, I sit against the back of the
> coaming. I don't know if this is a problem or not, but it sure isn't as
> comfy as the Raven. Suggestions? place you seat forward some. I used vlecro until I was satisfied with the position.

> Fourth --

> I made flush hatches as described in Nick's wonderful book. They look nice
> enough, but when I made the lip for the hatch to rest upon, I failed to
> anticipate the thickness of any seal. So, my hatches were flush only until
> I put a seal on them. Now, any seal I use, (1/4" closed cell self
> adhesive weatherstripping at this point,) will raise the hatch above the
> height of the deck by the thickness of the seal. Not what I had hoped for,
> of course. I am looking for ways to either lower the lip (ugh!) or make a
> zero (ha!) thickness seal, or thin the hatch (ahhh, no thanks) or ??? I
> need help here, please. I did that also, I am using 1/8" x 3/8" mini cell weather stripping and I remove the hatch covers to allow the foam to expand when it is not in use.

I plan on removing the original glass lip and replace it with a recessed wooden one to allow for a thicker seal and a true flush fit.

> Last --

> Thank you Nick Schade for your excellent book, your superb website and
> your magnificent boats. I picked this boat for all the wrong reasons. I
> had not paddled one, or evaluated the technical merits of it's design with
> respect to other boats. I didn't do a cost-benefit analysis or listen to
> the advice of friends. When I saw that boat, she stole my heart. Honestly,
> I can't imagine being happier with a boat if I had done all those other
> things anyway. To think that in thirteen short weeks I watched a bundle of
> sticks and a roll of blueprints metamorphose into a such a beatutiful
> creature, is almost incredible. She may have come out of my basement
> through my hands, but she's your creation too, and I thank you for helping
> me make it real.

> Thanks to Nick and to all my boat's "aunts" and
> "uncles" on this bbs.

> Sincerely,

> Ed Valley

Greg Steeves