[Paddlewise] Day Hatch Cover Removal

I paddle a CD Gulfstream that started life five years ago with a day hatch
cover with a rubber tab and a stainless O-ring through it to make removal of
the hatch cover simple while underway.  It worked once.  The second time I
needed access, the stainless O-ring tore through the rubber tab.  The rubber
tab tore off shortly thereafter.  It was worthless anyway, so was the bungee
cord that I purposely discarded so I could get my fingers under the rubber
rim more quickly.  The hatch cover is a round 'Valley'-type, that fits very
tight, as it's supposed to, except that for five years I can only get the
cover off by myself in calm seas when I can give it my full, but none too
patient attention.  I paddle mostly along the Maine coast and am fed up with
asking to raft up with a buddy when seas are not so calm, as I did yesterday
when I needed to get at my paddling jacket.  It's an imposition and
potentially dangerous.  (Even he had a hard time with both hands)
Have any of you had the same problem?  If so, how have you dealt with it?
Do any of you have any ideas for a lubricant that would make removal easier
without compromising watertightness?  I am told that petroleum-based
lunbricants will rot the rubber.  Soap was suggested.  I haven't tried it,
but it is hardly a durable solution.  Thanks for any suggestions.
Bill Wetzel
Dover, NH
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