As recommended by Jay Babina several years ago, I drilled tiny holes in the center of the bulkheads of two different kayaks. I think the holes were 1/32" in each case. Before drilling the hole, the airtight rubber NDK hatch covers of my Romany would bulge as the air inside the compartment heated or be sucked in dangerously as that compartment air cooled (when paddling in cold water). The airtight wooden hatch covers of my S&G kayak would actually draw water into the compartments during rolling-rescue practice. Since the holes were drilled, none of this has happened. The compartments stay dry. Not a tablespoon, or even a teaspoon of water in those compartments. On rare occasions I've seen a few **drops** of water after several rolls. If holes are drilled and you don't like them, you can always just cover them up with either breathable tape or waterproof tape or a dab of fiberglass as recommended here. But if you drill a really small hole, there should be no concern about water in the fore or after compartments. Bill Hansen *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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