> I know your fear! I just cut the deck of my CLC 17 LT last night
> (fortunately, all went well). Because I want to use the cutout as the
> hatch cover on a flush hatch, I used a 'plunge' cut with my Bosh jigsaw,
> using a new plywood blade. To do a plunge cut, rest the foot of the saw on
> the deck, with the blade angled up (not contacting the wood). Start the
> saw (fairly high speed if variable trigger) and slowly lower the blade
> until it contacts and starts cutting through the wood. Once through,
> continue cutting in the normal manner. This way you get a clean cut only
> as thick as the saw kerf, and don't need to drill any pilot holes.
> WARNING: this was on a plywood deck that was not fiberglassed. But I don't
> think cutting through glass will present much of a problem. Good luck!--
> Ed

I'm at the same point with my CLC 18 LT. I cut out the rear hatch, but have not yet cut out the bow hatch. My deck is not fiberglassed yet either. I have been following the postings on flush hatches over the past few weeks, so I have a pretty good idea how to proceed from here, but I'm wondering: how will you ensure that the cutout (eventual flush hatch cover) exihibits the same camber as the surrounding deck?