[Jeff1971]

None of it would work without the multi tool and very thin plunge blade. I got mine at Harbor freight. It makes splitting the halves possible.
When you glue them back together just lay a couple strips of 1 inch wide fiberglass along the seam. That makes up for the lost material from the cut.

Too bad the reproduction hatch isn't a great option. Many tops probably have been scrapped due to no good alternatives.

Jeff