I made hatch supports from 1X3 poplar and hinged them on the bottom.
On the hatch side I screwed an angle bracket for the top end to sit in.
Then I attached spring loaded hook and eye catches to keep the wind from lifting the hatch off the supports.
Unhook the top and fold the braces down and close the hatch.
Mentally I'm planning #2, in reality I may never finish #1.

Scott F.