Having read many threads about securing flush hatches -- with all the different schemes, I'm sure that many of the folks on this board have decided to give up the convenience of access afforded by deck hatches to gain the "clean deck" and increased security that you could by putting clunky, bomb-proof hatches (say VCP or Kajaksport) in the bulkheads. I'd be real interested in hearing about experiences with the hatches-in-bulkhead approach, especially from folks who do extended camping trips (4 nights or more).
I'd also like to hear what you think about an idea I have to reduce the inconvenience/reduced access of bulkhead hatches. My basic thought is to run some line through a block at the stem so that you could tie the dry bags to the line and then pull them into the below-deck places you can't reach. (Of course you'd have to install this before joining deck to hull. This line would actually be three pieces of line (each slightly longer than the stem-to-cockpit distance) tied together. The sheet bends connecting these 3 pieces would act as stoppers so that you don't accidentally pull the line completely through the block. The middle piece that you would not be able to inspect regularly -- and which experiences the most wear because it passes through the block -- would be heavier (say 1/4") than the two end pieces (say 3/16"). Untie the sheet bends & apply some crazy glue to inspect the middle piece every 10 trips (or so) and also inspect whenever wear appears on either end piece.
Whaddya think?