:The front of the tunnel
: barely fit under my life jacket and kept so much pressure on the front
: sides of the cockpit......
I encountered a similar problem on my Tern 14. I used a Harmony Sympatex skirt with an adjustable tunnel. I cant keep it tightly sealed because it seems the tunnel hole is too far forward compared to the position of the seat. I can keep water out unless I roll. After about three rolls the boat handling gets a bit funny and so I have to pump out. Not good when you are surfing. I am going to add an old Valley foot pump this winter and live with the situation for a while longer.