That sliding hatch that we push forward to remove the washboards and gain entry to our boats -- how do you get that thing off? The underside of mine is pretty filthy with mold and just plain old dirt, but I can't see where the stops are that keep in place. There's gotta be something you remove so that it can be taken off its track -- but where is it?

On my 85 Pearson 34 the hatch is retained by the cover it slides under forward of the companionway. 10-12 screws & up it comes. Mine too was quite dirty & sliding sticky

Judging by some pics on Yachtworld, it looks like you'll need to remove the track(s) it slides on, unless the underside edges of the hatch have a screw-on lip that will come off.