Hello, On my guillemot I installed a flush hatch using the same method and in hind sight I wish that I had recessed the lid into the deck prior to glassing the lip, having said that let me say that with the thin gasket that I used the cover sticks up past the deck less than 1/8" so it is not that bad. Also I used an internal bungee cord hold down system to keep the deck looking as clean as possible. I copied the idea for the hold down system from someone on this board I just can't remember the name. As for release compound on the lid I used saran wrap and it worked great. And as for the scupper hole, I wouldn't be able to lift my lid without it. Kenny > I am in the process of puting flush hatches on my Guillemot Exp single and
> had a couple of questions. I cut out the hatch covers from the deck am
> glassing the lip that the cover sits on.

> Questions:

> 1. I glassed the lip with the hatch covers taped flush to the deck. In
> retrospect I'm thinking I should have glassed it with the hatch pushed in
> 1/8 inch beyond flush to allow for the thickness of a compressed gasket. I
> am concerned that when I install a weather strip gasket the hatch will no
> longer be flush if the shock cord don't compress the gasket enough. Should
> I be worried?

> 2. I coated the hatch cover with "Butchers Wax" having heard
> that it works as a mold release. I had to do a lot of prying with a putty
> knife to get the hatch off after 6 hours. It didn't seem that the wax
> helped much. Anyone got a better way to do this? plastic wrap maybe?

> 3. In Nick's book you see him grinding a notch into the edge of the flush
> hatch. This is described as a duel drain and finger notch to pull off the
> lid. My question: is a drain hole necessary. The tolerences between my
> hatch and deck are 1/16th in. I wouldn't think enough water would be
> getting in there to need a drain. I assume this is more to give you a
> place to get your finger under the lid when opening the hatch. What
> tolerances should I be shooting for between the hatch and deck?