> I used deck plates in the bulkheads on my Mill Creek 15. I put an 8"
> deck plate ($22) in front and a 6" plate (less then $10) in the aft
> bulkhead.

Another option occurred to me: Valley Canoe Products (VCP) makes a really water tight 7.5" hatch which might be used in an aft --- and maybe even in a forward --- bulkhead. It's the famous "Tupperware" rubber hatch that is installed on many "British heavies". If you had enough real estate in an after bulkhead --- it stands about an inch and a quarter proud when it's installed from inside a compartment, and the outside diameter is about 8.5" --- it would make an excellent hatch for most camping and even expedition work. It easily takes a sleeping bag (in a side-compression stuff sack --- and, since nothing has to make a turn going in, you could get a pile of small diameter dry bags in with relative ease, as well. Last check, Great River Outfitters had them for a little under $50, but that catalog is out of date; probably close to that price now. Very solid, leaves the option of keeping a totally flush deck. A viable, waterproof alternative, if you have the space.

Jack Martin