: While my personal prejudice is against that of black plastic 'sewer
: tank' lids on kayaks (heh heh), a valid alternate consideration
: is that of contrast and pattern that anonymous black voids make
: along with the typically blackskirted cockpit opening. In that
: case, geometric proportioning, minimal peripheral ditching and
: careful cross sectional and longitudinal presentation (ie
: coordination with lines and surface) will help to support that
: consideration.

Yeah, what he said.
There's also something to be said for keping the hatch dry.