I think the reason it never sealed correctly (I'm guessing from the factory ) is that the machine screws that hold the hinges stick out about 1/32 -1/16. When the hatch was tightened down the screws left a mark on the gel coat and stopped the hatch from fully compressing the caulk right underneath the hinges.

I think the reason it never sealed correctly (I'm guessing from the factory ) is that the machine screws that hold the hinges stick out about 1/32 -1/16.
When the hatch was tightened down the screws left a mark on the gel coat and stopped the hatch from fully compressing the caulk right underneath the hinges.