So you had a great time in the sea kayak? But the hatches had water get into them? Please make sure you wash and sponge out the compartments, wring out the seals, and leave them open to dry. If they are left closed and wet, they become pretty nasty!
Sealed compartments provide the floatation for sea kayaks. This is a really basic safety issue. If you put the hatch cover back without the seal, the next user may take the boat out without realising that the compartment is compromised. We don’t want to lose the boat (or the paddler…)!
Please do NOT leave sea kayak hatch covers hanging loose from the kayak when you store them on the shelf. They can get caught and damaged when other boats are removed.
No one likes a wet, damp, stinky “gym-gear” compartment. Please consider the next user. If they have to put food/camping gear/clothes etc into a stinking wet compartment they will not be happy…
After cleaning and sponging out the compartments, please rinse and wring out the seal. Leave the hatches as illustrated (if there is a seal).