With the hatch covers sprung to the correct shape, cut a couple of hardwood ribs to exactly match the inside curvature of the cover. They should be long enough to span the area that has the springback. Epoxy them in place. After they have cured, when you remove the straps, the hatches should no longer spring back. Then coat any bare wood with epoxy.

Ross

: Hi, After I completed fiberglassing my expedition. I cut out my hatch covers.
: They look great, but I messed up. I took a break and left the hatch covers
: off the deck for a few months. Oh Oh when I got back to the job I found
: that the hatch covers had flattened a bit. Now I tried trying ratcheting
: straps around the kayak trying to bend the covers back into shape but they
: just spring back.
: Any suggestions. Thanks Edmo