: Need to ask for help from those with more experience. I am building
: a CLC Arctic Hawk, nearing the time to put the deck on at last.
: Instructions call for a 3/32" hole to be drilled center top
: of both bulkheads to vent pressure. I am to drill a larger hole
: and fill and re-drill the 3/32" hole and leave it open.

: How important/needed is this? It would be more difficult to do it
: if needed once the deck is on, especially for the front hatch. I
: been worrying about making the hatches watertight, seems WRONG
: to drill a hole. But then who ever said I know what I am doing.

: Thanks for your opinions/suggestions.

Hello John,

You could install a GoreTex vent that lets air pass but not water. Here is a link:
http://greenlightsurfsupply.com/ventedleashplug.aspx

I have rigrously tested them. The only failure I got was on a different type that screws in and the problem wasn't with the gore Tex. It was that it unscrewed itself from vibration riding atop my rickety car. The ones in the link don't screw in- they are fixed. They also double as a lash point. I have used them for over a year on my own wood surfboards where they are constantly submerged.

Since the backs of these are made to go inside a surfboard the fabric is not protected from the back. I suggest fitting a wood or PVC disc over the back with a hole drilled in it for venting. Also these vent very slowly so for a large volume compartment use two vents. As a rule of thumb on surfboards I use two on boards over ten feet. Riding atop the car in the hot sun is where you will get the most air pressure buildup. With surfboards when you put the board in water you can actually see the air venting as tiny bubbles come out.

You definately need some sort of vent. The pressure can crack the hull or cause delamination.