I just got some beautiful flotation bags and a rubber hatch from Kudzu Craft; however I think I am faced with decision and could use some input: The bags take up pretty much all the empty space in the boat. This is good for not sinking but maybe not good for storing stuff below deck. I think these might be my choices:
1) No hatch, always use bags
2) Hatch in front or rear, take bags out when storage is needed. I'm thinking my boat use in rough water with just be for a few hours at a time locally with other people around, no food or camping gear needed but the bags would come in handy.
3) Hatch and bags. Deflate the bags a little bit to allow some room for stuff.
4) Put the hatch in the bay immediately in front of the cockpit, the bow bag doesn't reach back that far. I don't really like this because I can just reach between my legs through the cockpit to get stuff anyway.
Any thoughts appreciated, photos attached. Thanks.
Erik