I can't think of how many times i've taken water right over bow of my 20' seafari. I'm out of scorton creek, sandwich ma cape cod and sometime the mouth of the creek gets nasty. i used to have a bimini top connected to the windshield and it was great the water would go right up and over and usually all of it landing behind the transom the rest washing right out the scuppers. i have recently ripped my top so i built a hard top now i get a little more wet, and more water lands in the back of the boat cause the top isn't there to deflect it a little farther. but it still goes right through those waves like a champ. if not used to it ya it may make you nervous but it does it's job and keeps on going hell its a 71 seacraft remember lol
and yes the hatch leaks a little when that happens but i could probably seal it better but it doesn't bother me. A little advise though make sure the hatch is locked. One time i made a huge mistake cause it wasn't latched and a wall of water went right through the cabin like a waterfall. But it all still drained out the back eventually. Good luck