> I am about to put the finishing touches on my Pygmy Osprey Std.
> I am now deciding whether or not to put hatches and bulkheads in.
> I know that I want bulkheads but I am not so sure if I like the idea
> of cutting two big holes in my new boat for hatches. Only problem
> is you can't put the bulkheads in without installing hatches (big
> holes!). Or can you?? What do all yall think about sacrificing watertightness
> and a nice open smooth deck for a couple of lousy hatches. BTW I don't
> think that I will really need the hatches for any practical purpose.
> Please advise Patrick Davis

Patrick, I had the same decission with my Coho. I liked the clean line of the hatch free deck, but I gave in and went with hatches. I made my own and did not buy Pygmy's (I'am Too cheap). I would not advise this route. I spent a lot more time to save little a $. I dont like the seasock idea and just putting in bulheads (even with a small hatch in them) is like having a car without a trunk. I'am glad I put them in and the flush hatches looks great! Even if you just go for day trips, its nice to put a daypack with lunch and a jacket or your kayak cart and be able to retreive it easily.

Its your boat and we all have our opinions, but you can always paddle it awhile and add the hatches-bulkheads later. With the Pygmy Osprey you have that option.

$.02 Larry