> I made flush hatches as described in Nick's wonderful book. They look nice
> enough, but when I made the lip for the hatch to rest upon, I failed to
> anticipate the thickness of any seal. So, my hatches were flush only until
> I put a seal on them. Now, any seal I use, (1/4" closed cell self
> adhesive weatherstripping at this point,) will raise the hatch above the
> height of the deck by the thickness of the seal. Not what I had hoped for,
> of course. I am looking for ways to either lower the lip (ugh!) or make a
> zero (ha!) thickness seal, or thin the hatch (ahhh, no thanks) or ??? I
> need help here, please.

Ed, You might consider making your current hatch lip flush with the hatch opening. This would become a spacer. Epoxy a new 1/8" plywood lip on the underside of the hatch with a narrower opening. This would become the base for your hatch seal. I would glass the plywood for strength. Good luck. Pete