Hi ChickenEd,

First of all, do know that you picked a great boat!  Your notion of 8X10 hatch may well be the way to go.  I installed a six inch deck plate and while it is okay it is not as useful as I had hoped.  There are not many things that fit through that hole and if they do retrieving them requires a fair amount of blindly feeling around.  Beyond that, screwing the lid on calls for a deft hand.  They are very fussy indeed.

Kurt     

   I have used the DPI deck plates very successfully on kayaks for years.  They work great. https://duckworks.com/dpi-pull-up-deckplates/ And are not fussy like the screw in plates

   I have used the DPI deck plates very successfully on kayaks for years.  They work great. https://duckworks.com/dpi-pull-up-deckplates/ And are not fussy like the screw in plates

   Pull up deck plates!  I had no idea.  Thank you so much for this!

   Kurt,

Thanks for the feedback and confirmation about retrieving items through a smaller opening. The JS II is a great boat. I have been a paddler my entire life. My wife and I have a canoe and 5 kayaks, but her interest is more fishing. I figured the Jimmy Skiff would be more comfortable for fishing with her and also allow me to sail when she's not along.

djdewitt,

Those would be much too small to pass an anchor and chain, but what a great suggestion for the inspection ports in the bench tanks! Much better than the screw in type.

Thanks,

Ed

   I put an 8 or 10" rubber hatch. The JS II is only 13 ft it doesn't use a big anchor. I use a folding grapple. But rarely used it . Even at the Dock Concerts a few years ago I just held position around the boats with the oars. That and I could move around quietly and gather positive comments about my wood boat. .

   Sorry.  I was being lazy.   DPI makes a full range of deck hatches.  https://www.dpimarineinc.com/access_hatches

I use these on my Skerry. The one in the bow is oval shaped and easily swallows an anchor.  They are watertight.  I know this from experience.  They are available from CLC.