Hi Dean. The recess was modeled after the one used by VCP. Jack Martin provided some extremely detailed measurements for me. As far as depth of the recess, I think I'm pretty close to spec. I had the same questions as you regarding the puddling, but felt reassured by comments from Jack and others with VCP boats that it's not such a big deal. Perhaps some of the Brit boaters could chime in here with any down-sides to the recess. (not that it will be helpful to me at this point )

Ross

: Ross,
: Your work is awesome, as usual, and I hate to play
: devil's-advocate/spoilsport, but what about water collecting in that
: recess? I would think that a good chop would puddle up enough water in
: there to obscure your reading, especially since your flush hatches allow
: water to sheet across the deck so nicely. It appears from the view of your
: compass installed in the mock-up that the numbers and hash-mark would be
: submerged. Maybe a mini-battery-powered pump is in order?...or are you
: planning on rolling up on a high brace every so often, shear to the sky,
: to drain it out? ;-)

: Dean