> I could imagine one of the great tragedies during a paddle would be to
> have someone help get goodies out of your back hatch and have the hatch
> drift away.

Been there . Done that. I did not want to pay magabuck to buy a replacement lid (it is really too small anyway,) so I impovised. I cut the hole bigger to match the top of a five gallon bucket., then cut four inches off the top of the bucket glue it to a build up wooden frame, screw and glue the whole contraption to the deck. Finally is the fun part-- I go to Home Depot and buy 3 black 5 gallon bucket cover (the one that you can sit on top, ) go home and plob the cover on the bottomless bucket. It cost me about $3 each, and the cover come with a little tap you can tie to the perimeter line. cover is hold down by bungie. Hey, I was cheap. I was a student back then! It did not win any beauty contest and it leaked when rolled, but hold up long enough till Iwas tired of the boat and gave the boat away when I moved.