[Baz]

I'm sure you would be able to hide the hinges within' the wooden structure of the hatch.

Maybe Les and/or Herr Oberst will chime in - they are great at wood working.

But I was wondering if it would be easier just to make the hatch free floating - that is - something with no connections to the deck. It just sits down into it's recess.

Have to have some kind of recessed handle(s) I'd think. Would be a lot easier to do. Just a thought....