Hello Craig,
I see the laminated seahood as not that much larger than the hatch. It mimics the shape of the hatch, which is a very good little hatch. The hood is there primarily to stop water from getting in under the hatch from forward over the bow, so the hood does not have to go into the companionway space at all. In fact it can terminate forward of the hatch when the hatch is pushed all the way open and even forward of the end of the entire opening - especially if the seahood rises there in an upturned coaming as a water deflecter and attachment for the dodger fabric. Need all the egress space you can get there.
The rubber dam proposal is instead of a seahood. Trying to figure out a way of stopping water from getting below from under the hatch when there is no seahood. Having a seahood is a better idea.
C'pete wants his to be removable. A good idea as it means you can pull maintenance there. Think if you desire a permanent seahood you'ld have to have access hatches to the space. Much more complicated. If you want your instruments/compass over the c'way the design gets more complicated.
Idea in my head for 338 is a strong permanent windscreen with a removable laminated seahood in front of it and a folding or not folding cloth dodger aft.
To keep the profile low, I 'see' (but not well, at the moment) a lid opening in the fabric frame to allow access below. The lid will have to open clear to the windscreen framing. It will be in constant use so it needs to be idiot proof!
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