: Do you actually open your spray skirt to get at the hatch??

: Compromises the whole idea.

: -mick

Yes, that's what I thought initially as well! Now that I have used it for a couple of seasons (and countless trips in a variety of conditions), I literally wouldn't "leave home without it"!!

To re-iterate: First and foremost, it's the ONLY 100% (not 99.99%) waterproof system available anywhere. Second, as an avid paddling-photographer (with LOTS of EXPENSIVE equipment), I simply can't "afford" to trust anything less worthy. Third, I have since discarded another myth (which your statements implied) that it's unsafe to release the sprayskirt to access this system. Well, let's put it this way ... nobody in their right mind would open a day-hatch (or any hatches for that matter) if the conditions are not warranted; CONVERSELY, I only reach for my pricey and sensitive equipment (which includes my lunch) while on the water ONLY when I know I could handle the conditions ... so obviously it's ALSO safe to partially release my sprayskirt, yes?! Finally, for those still unconvinced, I no longer worry about when I bring along my equipment because I know everything is DOUBLY safe: the watertight system and the "backup system" (i.e. my sprayskirt); and I am able to roll my boat WHENEVER I feel like it without a worry!!! Good Day.