: The only thing to add would be that we built our two
: "Petrellas" at 95% size, but full length. Also, the
: knee bumps look like bump outs, but they really aren't. We made
: a sharp drop in the strips in the area of the cockpit front,
: flowing toward a low rear deck. The sharp drop gives the
: illusion of a bump out. No problem with keeping the akiulisaq or
: tuiliq in place on the ocean cockpit.

Hi Dennis,and any other Petrel builders,maybe ,even Nick.
Now that I,maybe,got your attention,may I ask a detailed question about where your bum actually sits in respect to the position along the length of the boat.a ratio of distance behind over distance in front or something I can comprehend.
I ask because I did a wet test of just the glassed hull with a camera and me moving my butt from too far back to too far forward last night.The pictures indicate that if I were to use the recommended coming back position [195.4mm from the stern]for the back of the coming [which I will be using as my back rest] the bow is stupidly high out of the water.Because ,Like you I will be shrinking the cockpit from the recommended I have to be sure where I do cut that back part.The camera indicates I should be seated 6 to 9 inches in front of the 195.4 mm recommended cockpit back position.Apologies for the mixed units of measure.
I figure I am not heavy enough to sink the hull to the indicated water line without deck etc. so wonder if as I load it up to the right ballast ie if I put on weight, the hull sinks fore and aft at different rates?I am trying to assume that it doesn't and so am looking for the seating position that gives me a water line that is parrallel to the as designed water line.I saw a post here a few months ago where someone had committed to the seating position in a Petrel and was worried about "high bow syndrome"which from their photo appeared to be a concern.
Hey ,I risked doing a few strokes on my pond and discovered she's a sweetie all right.
I am 180 lbs,5'.11'' .The "excuse" for this boat is it's for my daughter.
cheers and thanks for any clues before it goes under the knife, from Paul .nz