Thanks for all the responses -- I think I'll go with cutting out the majority of the bulkhead and then grinding out the remaining edges -- as long as it's smooth I really don't need to worry about having a little bit of a lip or ridge.

I already have moveable Yakima foot braces in and I'm not 100% that I'll be the only one paddling the boat so I can't just push the bulkhead back all the way (plus tough to add the pump)

I'm midway through yak #2 (this one has been collecting dust for a while since I now have a 9 month old son and a 2 1/2 yr old daughter - thus no free time) -- this one is a loose approximation of my Cheasapeake 17 -- made narrower, lower and shorter for my wife. I'll see how that paddles before I decide to sell mine (the 17 would likely be fine if I loaded it with gear - but I only seem to get out for short afternoon paddles)

Thanks again, - I'll update the picture when I'm done
Mark

: 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