Hatch Plastic Crazing

[LORDNELSON]

The plastic in the two Lewmar deck hatches on my boat are scratched and crazed. I think they probably need replacing (how crazed can they be before replacement is a must?). The quote I received at the SBS was about £170 per hatch (they are about two feet square). Is it possible to "re-glaze" them oneself and if so, how and what material should one use (polycarbonate?). Any thoughts gratefully received.

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[Robin]

I'm not sure but I think they sell kits for replacing the plastic, certainly Goiot do for theirs. £170 seems excessive as Seateach often sell new Lewmar hatches for around £200 complete.

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[gtmoore]

I replaced the acrylic in my Lewmar hatch myself as the survey had said it could fail if stamped on. Sourced the acrylic locally (10mm I think) and had a hole cut in the middle for a vent. I got the mastic and rubber seal material from Salford House windows who are based in Sevenoaks (not sure of the number but they advertise in PBO). They can also do the refurbishment for you if you wish. They are very helpful and can supply everything (including advice) if you want to do it yourself.

<hr width=100% size=1>Gavin

 

[LORDNELSON]

Re: Thanks

Many thanks for both useful replies. How do you get the old plastic out, break it or heat the sealant?

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[gtmoore]

Re: Thanks

It wasn't easy to remove - not sure you could break it easily - it's still pretty tough even with the cracks!. Not sure if your hatch is exactly the same but when it's made, the acrylic is laid on a bed of sealant and then sealant is squirted in the gap all around (from the top so to speak). When removing the acrylic, you need to break both these seals (we used a knife) but even so it was hard work. When bedding the new acrylic, remove a small area of the protective film all around the bit that's going to be in contact with the sealant, roughen this with some fine sand paper and clean with meths. The sealant will then stick properly. As well as the main rubber seal, it's a good idea to change the O ring seals in the handles while your at it - again all available from the people I mentioned together with the info to fit them (found the number by the way, it's 01732 464635)

Cheers

<hr width=100% size=1>Gavin

 

[Chris_Robb]

When you have the new ones in - get some covers made up - the crazing is almost all due to the sun.

Chris

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[Delphini]

We replaced all our windows and hatches this year using Salford House, as mentioned earlier in the thread. We took them all off one weekend, blanked off the open windows with heavy polythene, and delivered them to Sevenoaks. They were restored within a week and an excellent job was done. I can thoroughly recommend them.

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[philip_stevens]

What was the cost per hatch? I have three big (500 x 500) Lewmars and one small Lewmar to be re-glazed.

The last time I had one re-glazed on our old boat, it cost around £130 from Eagle Boat Windows.

<hr width=100% size=1>regards,
Philip