Another acrylic/perspex question

[Dougal]

Our Evasion32 M/S has a large wheelhouse/deck saloon, with lots of big acrylic windows (up to 44x44mm). These windows were all 5.5mm, which i don't think would do to well in a major ocean blow or a knockdown.

I spent much of last year making improvements for an Ocean trip planned for 2008/9, and started replacing them all with the thickest acrylic sheet that will fit in the frames (9.5mm). The stuff I'm using is surplas Perspex shower doors (much cheaper way to buy it).

Do you think this is thick enough, or should i still think about storm boards?

 

[alienzdive]

Are the shower doors UV resistant, dont some acrylics crazy crack all over when left in the sun? I am sure some of the more wise members with knowledge on acrylics could confirm/deny.

 

[jwilson]

I still have in a drawer a small souvenir - a jagged piece of 12mm perspex about two inches in size that was part of a saloon window. Window size was much smaller than your Evasion windows. What hit it? Water, in a very violent knockdown.

 

[fdmarsden]

I know it is expensive, but polycarbonate is much stronger.

 

[pandos]

Hit a piece of perspex with a hammer or drop it corner first onto a hard surface, you may get a fright. You may be better off with polycarbonate

 

[2Tizwoz]

In my experience Plexiglas acrylic sheet has good impact resistance and is superior to polycarbonate in surface hardness. Bullet proof grades are available but 10mm standard grade resists hammer blows quite well and acrylic gives a longer transparent life at lower cost.

 

[sarabande]

Some perspexes don't like scratches as they act as a source of breakage. Lexan is the beez kneez for windows likely to get green water smashing against them, but any form of ply storm board will be very useful.