Replacing front Hatch H22

[drumbeater]

I figured other Hunters may be similar. My hatch latches are broken off and one of the adjusters has a broken knob.
The instructions in the "store" indicate that you may have to enlarge the opening in the deck for the new Bomar hatch. The opening on my boat has a vertical flange all the way around it which I guess is there to help prevent water coming in. If I enlarge the hatch, I'll end up cutting off this flange, or so it looks to me.

Anyone else encountered this?

Thanks,
John

 

[inarathree]

I saw that in the description and I am not sure if its something I want to do, and so I haven't replaced mine yet either. I dont like the idea of having to enlarge the opening by 1/2" all the way around.

 

[drumbeater]

I don't mind enlarging the hole, it's enlarging it and making the hatch sit on a flat surface instead of having that flange around the opening. Seems like inviting even more leaks.