Installing Ports

I have some ports that I was going to install on my 14. I was curious about the best location of them. I thought about putting forward of the tramp, but one person I talked to said that it would weaken the hull. And he suggestioned putting them aft of the tramp. And suggestions?

This is something I have a lot of experience with (unfortunately, sometimes to repair existing holes). Cutting ports in your hulls anywhere will cause weakness and there are several reasons not to put them in your bows depending on what kind of sailing you do. I've found doing offshore racing, especially in newer lighter boats, ports don't do well as the bows flex between every wave. I've also have had problems with bow ports when laying down on the hulls to paddle back into shore if the wind dies. Putting them aft is usually a better idea, but it is trickier to get your stuff out. Wherever you put them, don't put them somewhere you step often. I've had friends put ports on the deck underneath the tramps too and that's worked pretty well. It's harder to put stuff inside, especially larger things, but it keeps great hull integrity.

-Laura