Hi Jim, I think the key to either flush hatches or surface-mounted hatches is to have the hatch match the curvature of the deck. That said, flush hatches would probably match the curve that they were cut from than a second piece of plywood curved to match an existing deck.

My brother and I both built Chesapeake 17's with non-flush hatches. Mine fit the curve of my deck better. Mine are drier. However, I used nylon straps that loosen when wet. I have to remember to tighten them. He used polypropylene straps that stay tight when wet, so his are drier than mine if I forget to tighten mine! :) If my hatch straps are tight, I just get a tiny amount of water during roll practice when I'm upside 20 or more times in an hour. With waves breaking over the bow, I haven't gotten much water intrusion.

Shawn

> 1. I believe I know how to make flush hatches- but are they watertight? I
> made non-flush hatches with straps and weather stripping on an earlier
> boat and they are not water tight. Will flush hatches be even worse?