: That is actually what I was thinking. I have never seen it done and there may
: be a good reason, like it always leaks, the skin will pull away or rip.
: Just figured if it was possible someone here had done it.

Hi Jeff,
What Aaron said. I have seen photos of what you're talking about but, for the life of me, can't remember where. Maybe someone on the QUSA site might know better.

If you partner the keel around the skeg slot area, that will give more keel surface to clamp the skin against.
The box should connect with the gunwales or a deck beam to prevent the keel twisting from any side pressure on the skeg.

Deck hatches have been put on SoF's by a few people, Dick Van Zanten and Tom Steenbergen being two. Similar problems with sealing. But not as critical as a skeg slot.

Mostly with SoF's, simplicity is the norm or preferred. If a SoF is too loose tracking, a strip of wood, usually, is fitted to the keel stern.

If you make a section of SoF as a testing bed, 2-3 foot long, you could figure what works or doesn't. With minimal costs.

Mike Savage
South West Cork