I look forward to seeing the pictures - one question -> how do you get the hatch cover off??? Sounds like a great way to have a fully flush hatch cover.

Mark

> I will post some pictures soon. I can't do the cool detailed drawings like
> some of the other hatch-related posts; I'll have to fall back on the
> crutch of a digital camera.

> Here's the idea: I epoxied 4 small maple blocks on the underside of the
> deck at the 4 'corners' of the hatch opening. Each block is set back about
> an inch or so from the opening and has a 1/4" slot running from the
> bottom edge (edge of the block pointing down) to the center of the block.
> I used two lengths of shockcord with knots on each end to run between the
> blocks (side-to-side). On the hatch lid, a couple inches in from the peak
> on each end, I put a lash hook (mounted on another maple block so that the
> 'hook' points up). To fasten, stretch the bungee up to the hook. The angle
> of the bungee up to the hook is greater than what you'd have if you used
> external bungee holddowns, so you can get good downward force to hold the
> cover. The cover is rigid enough that the lash hooks at the peak still
> holds down the outer edges.

> NOTE: I've not rolled the boat yet (still have to learn), so I haven't
> verify the watertightness. However, from the indentations in the
> weatherstripping, it's very likely they'll be watertight.