I think they're good questions.

For the water pump; years ago I remember reading Feranc' Mate's book, "From a Bare Hull" and a couple others. He always laughed at the electric pumps and had a nice polished brass hand pump at each sink. Kinda like the pump at a well. Problem is, those things cost a fortune (though they do look nice in a traditional way). I suppose a Whale Gusher pump like the one to pump out the fridge would do the trick, but you'd have to have someone pump the thing while you brushed your teeth in the head ;) I think the best solution is a spare pump. It's on my list to replace the original (going on 15 years old) and keep the existing one as a spare; it still works fine. Having a spare has the added benefit of guaranteeing that the original part will never fail.

I have that hatch in the aft cabin too. I think it's sole purpose is to frustrate the bejeezus out of you since you can [I]see[/I] things back there, like the steering quadrant, but not actually [I]reach[/I] it to do anything useful. I can only get one arm through it not two. Try threading/tightening a nut and bolt with one arm. Mine has the added feature of a missing latch so, if the spinnaker isn't holding it in place, it just falls into the aft berth. I'd like to enlarge the thing by about 4" all around and make new trim and hatch door. Not sure if that bulkhead is structural though, in the MkII.

I believe those blocks are bolted into aluminum plates; the manual has a diagram of all of the fasteners used for various hardware. Should be in the Tech section.

The hatch from aft cabin to the port lazarette has proved extremely useful to me while installing the autopilot. Yes, you CAN fit more than an arm through there, as a glance through my article 'Installing a Below Deck Autopilot (C36 MkII)' - accessable from the C36IA homepage under Technical - Upgrades - will prove. In the article is a photo of me in that opening...the top half of me in the lazarette, bottom half in aft cabin. I spent quite a bit of time there, in fact, doing the installation of the rudder position sensor, linear actuator, and the wiring. What makes access for such a chubby guy possible is two tricks: 1) Remove the frame of the hatch and thus gain a larger area opening, and 2) split a piece of PVC to fit over the bottom edge of the opening, as the rounded edge allows you to rest your weight on the edge of the opening.

You could seal it off, but if you do I suggest you do so in a way that your fabricated cover will be readily (not necessarily 'easily') removable, at least via a series of screws. Someday at sea you may need access to the steering cables or something else and access via the aft cabin will be much preferable to stuffing a crewmember down the lazarette from the cockpit.

Sorry Larry, my reply was meant to be tongue in cheek and just reflects my experience. I have the pics of you halfway through that hatch, and was actually installing your idea for the rudder position sensor inside the aft cabin, the last time I attempted to get in there. I guess it all depends on your physique (or lack thereof:)). I'm 6' 235lbs and my shoulders don't go through the hole. I didn't yet remove the trim, that might help. I'm also on board alone, and somewhat claustrophobic, so I'm terrified of getting stuck half way in there with no one to pull me out. Someone at our marina was reaching into the bottom of his C36 lazarette and fell in; took his wife a half hour to get him out, so that's another thing I won't do if onboard alone. So, I've had to pay the guy at the marina to go into the lazarette for me. He's my height but slight build and fits in fine (plus younger and more flexible).

But I haven't given up...!!!

Sorry if my reply offended.

Wow! I'm soo happy to read that some one else got stuck in that lazerett.
I was too emarrassed to bring it up when I thought I was the only one.
I was leaning over/into the lazerett to snake my cockpit speaker wires, when I leaned just a bit too far in, my center of gravity shifted and I was stuck. My legs waving in the air and my hands trying to keep me from falling in further. I was upside down and never felt so paniced in my life. Lucky for me my girl friend was aboard and strong enough to grab my belt and shift my gravity back. Then she wouldn't quit laughing. Sailboats are here to keep their owners humble.
Sam

Gary, no offense. I just didn't want you to overlook an important access route. Removing the frame makes a BIG difference.

Incidentally, on my boat I cannot remove the cover over the portside fuel tank compartment (ie, the left 'wall' of the aft cabin) without first removing this frame.