Hi Val, my two cents for what it's worth. I put a beckson hatch in my mariner with a nylon sack to hold stuff. It's useful like a glove compartment but much more inaccesible. A vcp hatch is a little easier to pry off but it sticks up kind of high, I like spare paddles to lay low enough to not get in the way for rescues or a spare body. A 6" flush hatch with locking levers, or a locking bar might be neat. My take on "day hatches" is that the space really isn't conveniently accesible while on the water. If one is able to twist around and fidget with something in a day hatch then popping the skirt and grabbing the same item secured in the cockpit is probably a safer and more convenient way of doing things. Hmmm, a clear beckson hatch with a light inside makes for interesting night paddles.