Dave, installing that bulkhead is going to be a real pain in the neck, and arms, and back. Still, you have a good plan. I suggest doing this:
1. determine how far forward you want the bulkhead. This can be accomplished by sitting in your yak and positioning you feet comfortably, marking where your heels are and then adding 4 inches towards the bow from the heel location.
2 cut and place heavy paper or cardboard templates and trim till you get a good fit. You might want to tilt the forard bulkhead forward at the top to follow the tilt of your foot.
3. position your foot pump onto the bulkhead where your left or right foot can reach it.
4. plan on a layer of thin foam to cushion the foot and maybe some gray minicell then pads for the heels.

Want me to send images of my yak setup?

: I am at the point in building my OI that I am about to install the forward
: bulkhead. I have always done minicell bulkheads in the past. I am putting
: a foot pump in, though, and so need a rigid bulkhead. In fitting the
: bulkhead I am having trouble manipulating it that far forward. The front
: hatch is of limited utility because its a 9" VCP hatch. I can't
: imagine the difficulty I will have placing an epoxy fillet around the
: edge.

: I am not a big guy (5' 8" - 155 lbs) but am having a bad time getting in
: there. Are there any tricks to getting in there and installing a bulkhead,
: or is it just going to be extremely difficult?

: Thanks