I replaced a small piece of deck under second step by fridge due to a former leak. When I was looking under the floor it was just stringers with the flooring on top. I would not put a hatch in that area since there is nothing you need to access and that is the first place you step once you're in the cabin. When on the hard I do store the boat with the bow slightly elevated so any water will run to the cabin bilge pump under the steps.