: Can't speak to Coho installation, but when I built my North Bay --- very low
: volume, limited access in the original version --- I set up the extra
: reinforcement pattern on the after deck so that I could install a four
: inch Beckson or Viking deckplate to use as a day hatch. Limited, but you
: can get a liter bottle of Gatorade in and out of those things --- barely.
: Relatively waterproof, although you have to be careful to clean out sand
: from the threads and replace the "o" ring occasionally. (Also
: really helps to tether it and to remember to replace it after use!)

: As to interference with a wet reentry --- assuming you're not using a wet
: reentry and roll but a paddlefloat assisted reentry --- these deckplates
: are very low profile and pretty tough. (I suppose you could even recess
: them a little during installation, but then you'd have some water
: accumulating on the top and spilling into the compartment every time you
: open the hatch.) As a better option, you could build up some sort of
: semi-decorative or just functional fore-aft strake on either side of the
: deckplate to keep the paddle blade or shaft from coming into contact with
: the deckplate.

: On the foredeck of my Pintail --- FRG Valley Canoe Products boat --- I have a
: Viking Marine deckplate incorporating a flange which holds the stiffened
: top of a nylon bag. Makes a great "glove compartment" in a small
: boat, with an international orange bag, about four inches in diameter and
: ten inches long hanging down between your knees. (They also make a
: "fat bag" if you have enough room.) This system is not very
: waterproof, and would probably not be a good idea in an afterdeck
: installation into a bulkhead-sealed compartment. You can find these at
: racing sailboat outfitters and sometimes at larger marines supply houses.

: One final thought --- even the four inch deckplates need some flat surface to
: mount to, so think about building up a flange of some sort to achieve a
: flattened deck in the area where you're mounting these things. Larger
: deckplates require a larger flat area.

: Jack Martin

Jack,

Thanks for the feedback. The jury is still out whether or not I install one. Thanks,

Gary B.