I should have did this long ago
 

I never did like where my bilge access was in the splashwell. There was always water on top of it and I wouldn't think of opening it while in the ocean. I finally found the right size hatch and put it next to the livewell. I was surprised to find the wood in that section in such good condition for a 29 year old boat.

Surprised.....! Look at the glass on that thing. It's perfect and nice thick lamination.

The hatch looks great. Where did you buy it ? I have a similar hatch over my bilge access and I'm looking for a replacement.

that is quality wood. The amount of glass in the cap is surprising (its a lot).

They could have built these boats MUCH lighter. My cap (mid 80's hull) had the same thick lamination and 3/4" plywood core.

If I ever rebuild another seacraft, I will re-core the cap with foam and use high density inserts around rod holders/cleats. You could easily shave 150+ pounds off the cap weight, probably more.

Of course a heavy boat rides nice, but you pay for it in fuel economy.

I guess what made me surprised was, I replaced my fuel tank about 9 years ago and the section that covers it was full of water. It must have weighed over a hundred pounds and the wood was shot. I rebuilt that section without any wood and lost a bunch of weight there. The hatch is from a marine liquidator in Ft. Pierce, Fl. It will probably offend some people here, but now I have to tell you that the other side of the cover says Nauticstar Boats. Oh well.