For a number of years Betsie Bay Kayak has been using 8" Beckson pry-out hatches (shown below) on their kayaks, fore and aft. These hatches do not have a latch mechanism, only the O-ring around the hatch cover provides enough resistance to keep the cover on. A small knob is added to make the cover easier to lift. This year, however, BBK has added the option of an all-wood look by mounting the hatch ring from the underside, and laminating the wooden deck cut-out onto the hatch cover. A small handle is then mounted to the cover, and all you see is a ring where the hatch cut-out is and the knob. No more white plastic, and the deck is even smoother to make for less splash when a wave washes over the deck. Pretty slick. Only for flat decks, though.

BBK did use VCP hatches for a while, but switched to the lower, more splash-resistant Becksons. Given that these are fairly small openings, they also fit their kayaks with 'expedition hatches' -- removeable rear bulkheads that are finger-tightened with 4 knurled screws.

Dean