The molded 'bead' in the seal-channel will allow the lid only so deep as to be even with the deck. This makes it possible to remove it without the help of any handles or hardware. Securing the lid makes sense for obvious reasons but a short tie also prevents the wet lid from dipping in sand and contaminating the seal unnecessarily. My choice of stainless hooks is for practical reasons. Sealing the wood in the drill holes is vital.
Matches work well.
Finished flush bow hatch with water tight seal. I did not add any grip handles to the lid for aesthetic reasons. You may find that this hatch seal design is very air tight and the lid removal can be difficult without a handle or some 'vaccum relief' orifice or valve. What happens is that when you close the hatch on land, a volume of warm humid air is trapped inside. When you put the kayak on the water, the compartment air cools down, and the pressure is reduced which causes to lid to get sucked down.