: If you feel like you need to make it stronger around the cockpit, add another
: layer of glass there, lots easier than adding more wood.

: Bill H.
Sorry that I am interfering, but I think you don't need more strength behind the cockpit to sit on, but only more stiffness. So a layer of glass will not help. You have to bring something under the deck which makes it more stiff.
Nine years ago I build Guillemot S&G from plans I found on the internet. I used 3 mm plywood which my brothers in law used in their polyester factory to stiffen flat pieces of GPR. It was very cheap. I did not make bulkheads and hatches.
To stiffen my deck behind the cockpit I use a pole (pice of a broomstick) with pads of rubber on both sides, which I put between bottom and deck just behind the seat. It is removable to have access to the cargo room.
The total weight of the kayak is 23 kg seat and deckrigging included.
When the kayak is fully loaded for week camping trips you mist be careful not to take it half out of the water and then dump the bow. I did it once. The kayak dit not break but the bottom V came up the wrong side and flipped back again. Ik could not find delaminations but I am more carefull with it since.
That was seve years ago.
O yes the total hull has 2 layers of 4 glass outside and 1 layer inside.

I will try to upload a picture.
I paddled the river IJsel in the Netherland, The Ems an Weser in Germany and many daytrips in Friesland with it.

Daniel