: - Then - I get the challenge of fitting in a new bulkhead (I'll use 1/4"
: ply again -- I don't trust foam to stay in place and I wouldn't be able to
: mount my foot pump.

For what it's worth, Mark, I had the same problem with my Pintail --- a low volume British composite boat --- and carved a plug of layered pieces of closed cell foam to insert into the forward cockpit. I also carved out a recess for a Henderson foot pump and mounted it --- basically wedged into the recess --- in there. Not sure if it's going to work out in the long run, but haven't had any problems with it in nine years. Sure beats crawling up inside!

(On my North Bay, I just built a new bulkhead and positioned it about seven inches aft of the school solution location; another Henderson foot pump is screwed into epoxy guides. [Shoulda used T-nuts.])

Jack Martin