: I am close to finishing my 4th kayak, but am about to do something I didn't
: do with the first 3, that is fit hatches.

: I have seen the way Nick recommends making the hatch lip, but wonder if there
: is some reason I should not do it a different way.
: I thought I would use strips to create the lip with a spacer the thickness of
: the rubber seal I plan to use.
: I would glue the strips in place and put a layer of glass over them.

: I have a reason for preferring this method. With each of the previous 3
: kayaks, the hull curled in and the deck flattened out. I managed to get
: them to line up to get a neat join.
: This time I am trying everything I can to keep the deck in and the hull out.
: However I am concerned that if they don't line up better than before, the
: extra stiffness of the hatch lip will make it very difficult to pull the
: deck in narrower if I fit the lip before I join. So instead of pushing the
: hull out a little and the deck in a little, I would have to rely entirely
: on pushing the hull out.

: I believe that I could easily fit the timber lip after the two halves are
: joined but that the solid glass lip would be difficult once it is joined.

: What do you think?

: Another related question. Why do people fit the seal to the lip rather than
: the lid? Isn't it more susceptible to damage there as things are put in
: and removed. Or is it not really a problem anyway?

: The picture might make it clearer how I plan to make the lip.

Your idea should work ok, I'd though measure the gasket you'll use compressed approximately to the thickness with the hatch on then cut the spacer to that thickness. Assuming you want the hatches to fit fairly flush.

Bill H.