Hatch cover over fuel tank ????

[reelclassic]

I have started the work on my 1979 20 SF. I have the lower deck cut out and was wondering if anyone has replaced there deck without having a hatch cover over the fuel tank. It looks like if I needed to get the tank out of the boat it would not fit through that opening anyways. So was thinking I would not put that cover back on and just have a solid deck, or should I keep the hatch the way it is?