Good point on the stanchions. It hurt me to cut off the other wheel that was on the opposite side of the remaining wheel for that very same reason.
As for the hatch, no there is no seal. the hatch is "loosly" held on by the indentations on the cover that lightly snap onto the outer raised edge of the hull opening and the pressure of the (thing) that overhangs the hull and the wire goes through. I assumed that any water that got underneath would go out the back of the underside of the hatch cover as there is no raised edge back there but Im not sure I trust it. Havent figured out a way to easily put a waterproof and hold down mechanisim on it - sees a bit of a design flaw in my view.
Thanks again for the help and insight