must have one then make absolutely sure there is no way for water to get inside the boat. That means small holes cut for wires, poor glass work at the deck etc. You can't imagine the amount of water that can get into a boat over time even through a very small hole. Cutting a slot in the anchor hatch might just overwhelm the drain hole in a heavy sea and depending on the size of the well, add a lot of weight forward. If it fills with water and their is even a small hole it will have a constant stream of water right into a V birth. Ask me how I know....