Hi Don,

Have me thinking about the Sea Rider now :-) - Initially wanted a kayak with the lowest rear deck possible - but suppose I could modify the sea rider to have a lower rear deck?

Part of the reason I want hatches is so I can install float bags more easily - I intend to make "contoured" float bags that would fit around the cross sections and fill the voids in between them better :-) another benefit I see to hatches is that it gives me the opportunity to try out a glue in pvc bulkhead that would work with one of the cross sections :-)

Great idea about the board test - this test would be applicable to stringers/gunwales/etc? - most boards have a knot in the middle - figuring 1/2 -1/3 of a board to be usable/clear lengthwise for stringers and the full board would crack/break during this test?

Pine would be not as rot resistant as WRC? - though this shouldn't really be a factor if I intend to cover the frame in Epoxy? - Any estimates on how much I would need? Guess on additional weight for the epoxy?

Thanks for the pictures! Very inspiring :-D