: Well... this is probably looking for trouble but I have to ask
: are day hatches something people really like or are they a
: marketing gimmick?

: Yes, they look cool on shore, but do you loose function for self
: rescue and on deck
: carrying?

: If wave conditions are low enough that I'm comfortable trying to
: reach behind me on the
: rear deck and try to open a small day hatch (what do you do with
: the lid?) and reach
: into a hole and fish around for something, I just think it's a hell
: of lot easier to leave
: more room behind my seat for the same gear and just pop the spray
: skirt and reach
: behind the seat.

: Personally, I like simplicity.

: What is your experience?

: Do you access the day hatch in conditions you wouldn't pop your
: skirt?

: Do you have a day hatch with a bag or a separate bulkhead?

: This would cut down on the useful space for camping gear in the
: larger
: compartment.

: Thanks for your input.

: Rob
Yo,
I made a "glove compartment" from deck to keel that is within the cockpit space and between my legs, upto my knees, accessed through a 4 inch sealed inspection hatch after popping the front of my spray skirt.I'd love to post a few images but I'm a Ludite and fear technology, unreasonably.
The concept is based on me not wanting to loose my beer,wallet,car keys and thermos flask when I get bowled over and need to swim around wishing I'd tied everything on!
No space behind my butt with a close fitting seat back and sides. Imagine trying to reach for that can behind you after popping the rear of your spray skirt twisting round struggling ,in desperation for more beer,and spraining your lower back in the typical process.I think those little access holes from the rear deck behind you are impractical.Concerns however, about extra bulkheads and separate volumes of trapped air need to be offset by the reduced risk of all of your trapped air being vulnerable to leakage in one foul swoop...All my external hatches leak,a bit.The glove compartment volume is very secure.I connected this space with a second larger inspection hatch in the foot well bulkhead as the glove compartment goes through to this and this allows me to insert my Greenland paddle into the front volume and close off the inspection hatch for completely hidden paddle storage.What paddle?
Cheers from Paul .nz