Hi Mac,
If you are going to maintain the design I wouldn't recess the cockpit. The recess is to be able to roll it better. To roll you need a spray deck and you won't get one for that cockpit.
JohnK

: Thanks John,
: I'll be maintaining the open cockpit design and position will be faithful to
: the design. I 'thought' recessing it would be the way to go and welcome
: any opinions on this matter. This is my first kayak (or is it a covered
: canoe?) and am hoping for a kayak-newbie-friendly boat and don't want to
: ask obvious questions.

: Anyway, do you just eye-ball the angles and dimensions or work on the study
: drawing first?

: -mac