I'm going to put a day hatch in my Ches. 18LT for relatively protected storage accessible without popping my spray skirt. The secondary bulkhead is in place about 11" behind the main rear bulkhead, but I haven't put on the deck yet.

I know most folk use a "Tupperware" style round hatch (Valley Canoe Products or similar). Is this the easiest to use? I'm a bit concerned about having to press it hard to close the hatch behind my back. Is this easy in practice? If it's too loose, I'm afraid it won't hold in big water.

I had thought about making a wooden hatch similar to the stock hatch covers, or perhaps flush lid. A "soft hinge" on the inboard edge (nylon strap, or bungies and guiding "hooks" on the hatch edge). Fastening at the outboard edge might be a twisting "clip" and/or bungie loop over a knob, or ???

What experiences have folk had with different sorts of day hatches? I'm
mainly concerned with ease of use & practicality, and secondarily with
appearance.

(I don't usually use rigging to hold a paddle float outrigger in place - I hold it by hand against the cockpit. However I will give some thought to the rigging when deciding where to place the hatch.)

Thanks in advance

Val