> 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?

Since this piece is cut from the deck after it has been glued into place, and hopefully after it has been fiberglassed, it should have the same shape (camber? curve?) as the rest of the deck. It will be bent, simply because it was made on curve forms. If it should lose it's shape a bit after being cut out, it should be easy to restore it to the proper curves with light pressure. If you want to guarantte that it holds that shape, a few pieces of wood glued to the underside wth epoxy will maintain the curvature. Cut those wood scarps to have the curvature you want, and clamp them in place until the epoxy sets. Keep them short enough that the dont interfere with any sealing materials for your hatch.

Paul Jacobson