self bailing cockpit

[kelp]

Any thoughts on how to build a self bailing cockpit on an aluminum flat bottom work skiff? I really don't want to foam the space between the bottom and the deck. If water gets in there you have a huge mess. Ideally I would like to weld a watertight aluminum deck (sole?) over some kind of eggcrate spacer between bottom and deck using watertight screw down inspection hatches to check for water intrusion. The eggcrate framework would support the flat bottom when going into a chop. Large ratholes and an electric bilge pump would take care of any water that inevitably finds it's way into the bilge. Thes are preliminary thoughts. Plenty of time to work this out as I haven't started building yet. Am willing to go in acompletely different direction. Thanks for any advice.
This design is a 17' flat bottom work skiff in 3/16 aluminum. I took the lines off a fiberglass high sided skiff well liked by the fishermen here in Maine. The glass skiff has rocker all the way to the transom causing the bow to rise a little too much when planing at a good clip. I'm going to make the run dead flat for the last 2/3 of the bottom. Will post results after launching.

[CDK]

How about two V or U shaped gutters leading from the wheelhouse to the transom? Drill a few holes in the right places and you're done.

[kelp]

CKD, thanks for the reply
I like the gutter idea. Do you agree that weldind the sole watertight with some inspection plates is a good idea?