NC 895 Cockpit Hatch

[harmony2]

We still have not closed on the purchase of our new 895, waiting for installation of additional equipment.  I have been struggling with opening and closing the cockpit hatch.  I'm and old guy and can hardly get it open.  Has anyone made modifications to solve this?  I am thinking that we will remove the cockpit table and the bench that are mounted to the hatch.  Maybe replace the gas shocks with ones that are "weaker"?  Reverse the hatch so it opens on the aft side instead of right next to the wheelhouse sliding door?  Also, getting the floor hatch out to reach the seacocks is near impossible.  Any ideas on that problem?