: PS first, Nick lets us use this area of his site for free, pretty good deal,
: can't really bitch about free

: Rigid bulkheads don't have to be glassed in to create a hard spot, they can
: be either attached over a foam wedge that'll give a little or can be
: installed with an RTV sealant (like minicell) to allow movement, best with
: a filet of RTV to make the bulkhead semi-rigid. Personally I don't think
: with a sandwich hull which either ply or stripper construction provides
: that there is a problem with rigid bulkheads, the hull doesn't give much
: to start with.

: Also they can be glassed in like NDK does, using a gap at the edges between
: the bulkhead and the hull and fairly light tabbing so the tabbing flexes
: to prevent a stress riser. With epoxy/glass the tabbing remains flexible
: long term.

One way is to use a flexible bulkhead, like that I've seen photos of in a true Greenland kayak, used by a Greenlander! Just a piece of fabric glued across the inside of the kayak - no stress concentration, and still watertight!

Another model is the so called sponsons used in many foldable kayaks, but pioneered by Klepper over 50 years ago! These 'sponsons' are airtubes running from end to end, hanging in ripstop nylon sleeves, thus easily replacable and repairable! This way you can pack easily, and do not need any leaking openings in the deck!

Safe paddling,

Tord,
Sweden