I have been building a NH for the last 6 months and have been enjoying and greatly benefiting from reading this BB. I will complete my coaming this weekend and have been thinking about the next step. My first question is should I cut hatches in my NH. I think I will only use it for day trips. I don't yet know how to roll but hope to learn and imagine plenty of wet exits as I learn. What are some of the pros and cons and what have some of my fellow NH builders done?
My second question is if I do cut hatches, I'd think I'd like to use magnets to hold the hatches in place. I like the clean look of the deck without straps or cords to hold the hatches in place. What has been other builder's experiences? How tight and dry have you been able to make your hatches?
Lastly, can someone detail for me or point me to a thread or web site on how to make the lip and set the magnets if I build this kind of hatch (I have Nick's book so I know how to do it his way)?
Thanks in advance for all your help and advice. I hope to have my boat at the Newfound Regatta and meet some of you.