Hi Jimmy,

an idea is to keep the hatch at least 12-18in away from the back bulkhead ( assuming it is close to the rear of the coaming). When entering the yak or performing recoveries, the last thing you want to compromise (by scrabbling and body movement and weight) is the hatch esp if held by bungees. So keep it away. It'll also maybe give you a little room in the future to fit a tiny day hatch (sized and placed so doesn't compromise above either)

For packing it also allows heavy items to be place by the seat/bulkhead first(say water) and yet still allow other stuff to get packed later. You don't have to remove everything at camp in order to get at the other stuff.

-mick