floor hatch question

[buckdrew]

I rebuilt my floor hatches on a Marlin 28 and am reinstalling. The old hatches were supported by some plywood attached to the tank supports. I feel like these were added by previous owner to help with their sagging/wet hatches and that this was not a factory install. Question is: Are the hatch covers meant to be supported with extra wood or simply by the rim around the hatch opening? New cover feels pretty great without anything else but before I seal them in I figured I should ask...
Thanks,
Andy

1990 Marlin 28

 

[Curmudgeon]

Hatch supports are sistered to the lateral members, the lateral members are designed to A) allow hatch support, and B) secure tanks in the center compartments. Leave 'em, they're supposed to be there ...
:uhm