Reading the thread on floatation reminded me of something I've been considering -- when I built my CLC Cheasapeake 17 I basically followed the included instructions. But, since I've been paddling it (and swimming from it when I fail a roll attempt) I've considered how much water actually ends up in the cockpit.

I'm 6'1" and have pretty long legs but I still find that my legs are a good 6-7 inches from reaching the bulkhead. --- that has to amount to several liters of extra water in the cockpit where I could have moved to bulkhead back.

I plan on filling some of the dead space (a la Peter Carter's comments) by adding some closed cell foam but I think the big difference would be to reposition the bulkhead!!!

Any thoughts?? - I'm considering
1. cutting out all but a 1/2" rim of the bulkhead out.
2. trash it and rip it out?
3. try heating it up with a torch to soften it and then take it out in pieces
4. forget it and just add some closed cell foam to the cockpit side of the bulkhead?

- Then - I get the challenge of fitting in a new bulkhead (I'll use 1/4" ply again -- I don't trust foam to stay in place and I wouldn't be able to mount my foot pump.

(I also have a foot pump to mount down at the bulkhead so if I pack on 6"of foam it would be rather difficult to mount, plus I need to redo my hatch covers -- just not water proof so I'm going to try flush covers).

The last option --- should I just sell the kayak and start over to build one that would be a little more suitable (I don't really need the width or the storage space). Figure 120hrs to build, $500 materials --- say $1500 cdn?

Thanks
Mark