> It's time to start planning what type of hatches to use on my Panache. I
> would like to use a flush style hatch so the pattern in the strips won't
> be broken up but am concerned about a flush hatch being water tight. Does
> anyone have a good reliable system that holds out the water.

I cut the hatch using a thin blade on a sabre saw. You can place the front of the base of the saw down and ease the blade in. Shouldn't be a problem.

I then use 1/4 inch plywood to cut an inch-wide band to epoxy on the under side of the deck. You may have to cut through the bottom side of the band so it can bend enough around the peak of the deck.

I then cut a 1-3/4-inch band with the same outer dimensions as the first and epoxy it under the first. This leaves a 3/4-inch platform for neophrene padding that is 1/4 inch thick. I get the neophrene from Newfound Woodworks. This works well.

Mac