: Here's the most "natural" looking hatches i've seen:
: http://dbynoe.blogspot.com/2009/05/skin-on-frame-hatches.html

: i cant really see why you couldnt do a solid substrate frame and a
: flush hatch, like a stripper...except for the leak issues, that
: i'm sure are common in that design... Something like a ring of
: plywood with a rabbeted edge, or built up that way, and a fabric
: covered plate.

Dave,

I showed Peter the hatch design and he decided that he was open to hatches again. We talked and it looks like we are going to try a solid substrate (1/8th inch plywood) with a flush hatch covered in skin. Still some details to engineer but I have seen numerous flush hatches that didn't leak so I am sure I can make this work. I'm still waiting to hear what Bill has to say about the thickness of the plywood.

Brian