> I've been wondering why no one seems to have done hatches and bulkheads on
> a skin-on-frame boat. Wouldn't it be possible to run a couple of stringers
>

Dean,

How about sewing in a zipper a la Folbot (the Aleut) or the latest thing from Klepper and keeping all your stuff in dry bags? That way you have easy access and extra floatation (maybe - depending on what you're hauling in the bags). WIth a zipper you are less likely to "spoil" the profile of the boat too, plus I don't think you'd have to add any additional framing.

For a non-collapsable you'd probably want to run some lateral fabric "stringers" to keep the tension on the skin while the zipper is open. ALternately some form of straps could be added to either side of the opening for use in pulling the sides together so you are not fighting the tension with the zipper.

Just some ideas,

Barry