:Has anyone done what David describes below (re:use of the bulkhead for a footrest?) I will begin building an OI soon and am looking at all of my options. I have an old soccer injury...so...after a short while pegs really screw up my foot. I plan to pull back the bulkhead...likely use some velcro-attached pieces for 'play' and use the bulkhead for a footrest/brace...and may consider putting a pump in a recess as well.

My concern is...given my 220lbs and leg strength..do I need to be concerned about using the bulkhead as a 'large peg'. As I am writing this...hmmm...why can't I place two bulkheads in the front with one about six inches in front of the footrest/brace....that way there will never be any pressure on the bulkhead?

What do you guys think?
Bob

If the boat is just for you, and you are confident you know where your feet
: are, put the bulkhead back far enough to serve as the foot rest, and get
: rid of the footpegs. Rake it forward a bit. I paddled a glass boat like
: this once and it is total comfort; free to move your feet around and still
: always have instant bracing.

: Since it would be bad to err on the short side, maybe put it a bit farther
: forward than necessary and customise it with a minicell pad. You could
: even get fancy and make a recessed area for the pump.

: Another issue involving cockpit volume is the space beside the cockpit
: opening. A guy in Austrailia (Peter, Peter....can't remember his last
: name) essentially runs longitudinal bulkheads either side of the cockpit,
: between the fore and aft bulkheads. This makes a minimum volume cockpit to
: minimise pumping.