IMHO its just a matter of time. It's asking for issues. I won't be convinced it's ok to run any boat without proper taping. Only takes 1 time for bad things to happen. It's one of those lesson learned things. The Spartan breaks so many rules of boating it doesn't shock me they say no need to tape. Bad BADhabbit to form though! Traxxas failed to listen to any of the experienced boaters that attempted to help them out, and the product shows that they failed to follow common boating knowledge. Rules that aren't around and talk about to discourage people but rules and information thats stated because time and time again its proven to eventually lead to a failure. Just my 2 cents. I would suggest everyone tape hatch. What's that worst that can happen with the hatch taped? What the worst that can happen without the hatch taped?