looking for perspex supplier (I want to make a companion way hatch)

I have considered a hinged door, but instead of having it fixed I thought about making some hinges that the door could be lifted off, ie. 2 vertical pegs fixed to the frame and horizontal rings fixed to the perspex that would just slide on and off. I think for this season I'll just keep it simple.
I really like yours though but wether my wordworking skills could produce something as good, I'm not sure.

Just one more question. It looks like tinted perspex is much cheaper if you only go to around 5mm thick. Is this thick enough? I'm guessing the washboards would make up an area of 18" by 2 foot (very ish measurements until I can measure this weekend. The hatch at a guess is 18" by 18" (maybe)


EDIT: would it be possible to laminate the tinted onto the clear to make it thicker???

Many Regards

Colin
 
Last edited:
We made up a hatch for a 40' boat once using iirc 4 laminations of 4mm alternating smoked and clear to get a very light smoked panel.

Chloroform was used as the adhesive. The big challenge is keeping the chloroform off the finished faces.

The manufacturers should be able to provide you with glueing data.
 
Tilt instead of slide

No
A semi-transparent edge of hardplastic would inflict nasty forehead bruise to any careless crew member going below in a hurry
 
A few tips -

A tint helps reduce glare. Bronze produces a much more warm cheerful light. Grey tint is gloomy and blue or green downright depressing.

When cutting or drilling, keep the tool speed low to avoid melting.

Transparent washboards make a nice shop window for those with evil intent. Arrange for a curtain or keep the old ones for when the boat is left unattended.

Acrylic crazes in time with UV and Polycarbonate fogs so use the old one when laying up. You could also cut a ventilation slot with a cowl over it.
 
colhel said:
I have considered a hinged door, but instead of having it fixed I thought about making some hinges that the door could be lifted off, ie. 2 vertical pegs fixed to the frame and horizontal rings fixed to the perspex that would just slide on and off.
Click to expand...

I used lift off hinges:

JSPB23L_sml.jpg


from Just Stainless (about half way down the page - they needed to be polished up when I got them, though :mad:).

I'm no woodworker - give it a go, you might surprise yourself :)

Just one more question. It looks like tinted perspex is much cheaper if you only go to around 5mm thick. Is this thick enough? I'm guessing the washboards would make up an area of 18" by 2 foot (very ish measurements until I can measure this weekend. The hatch at a guess is 18" by 18" (maybe)
Click to expand...

I guess it depends what you're looking for. If you just want something to keep the rain out when you're on board then 5mm will do the job nicely, and be easier to handle. If you're looking for something secure against the elements and thieves, then I don't think it would be anywhere near strong enough. (More like 10mm).

I'd avoid trying to laminate it, personally, as I feel it would be difficult to get a strong and bubble-free joint.

I had Eagle Boat Windows bookmarked as a thick perspex supplier (supplier of thick perspex ??), but I have never dealt with them. I note that they sell Perspex washboards ;)

Andy
 
misterg said:
I've posted this before- Much easier to live with than washboards. (And you can still put the washboards in should conditions demand it).

DSC_6902.jpg


(Ignore the bit over the top - STILL needs doing)

Andy
Click to expand...

For many years I only sailed, so just accepted washboards. Now I'm used to mobos I hate them.

Your solution looks better than washboard, by a mile. It is more practical than washboards by a mile. You could have a slot for a washboard if you were really worried about knockdown performance in extremis, but I doubt they'd ever be used.

Why isn't every saily boat like this?
 
VicMallows said:
Essential to my mind. Especially when its cold/wet. I even have a piece to put in place of the sliding hatch cover to get more light. Mine are polycarbonate, but simply because I had some (stronger than perspex, but scratches more easily). I'm sure you can find local suppliers everywhere, but two suppliers near Portsmouth advertise at the back of every mag.

Vic
Click to expand...

Recommend you get the supplier to cut exactly to shape -take a wooden template for best results. Chamfering the edges will finish the job nicely. My supplier in Colchester does the whole thing - ready to install.

Others have said it too - take great care when handling, keep the protective paper on as long as possible - this material easily scratches!

PWG
 
Thanks Again to you all.
I bought the April edition of PBO today, they had a feature on working with plastics, so coupled with that article and all the tips on here i'm going to have to think of some good excuses if it all goes wrong!

Many Regards

Colin
 
Elessar said:
Your solution looks better than washboard, by a mile. It is more practical than washboards by a mile. You could have a slot for a washboard if you were really worried about knockdown performance in extremis, but I doubt they'd ever be used.

Why isn't every saily boat like this?
Click to expand...

Because very few saily boats have places to fold the doors back along?
 
colhel said:
Can anyone recommend a supplier?
Click to expand...

I'm in the process of buying two sets of washboards from Trent Plastics. Both 12mm clear perspex - the bigger ones for the Victoria are costing fifty quid the pair and the smaller ones for the Hunter are costing thirty.

Eagle Boat Windows quoted me around £250 for the larger ones, though that was in blue tinted, which is all they do at 12mm.
 
Ubergeekian said:
Because very few saily boats have places to fold the doors back along?
Click to expand...

If you can choose in or out, or 180 deg against the bulkhead, most could be retrofitted and virtually all could have been designed in.

Can't think of any other means of access/egress to anything which requires 4 distinct and separate steps to open or shut, leaving you with and object that is visually prominent an easy to damage, but with no where to store it.

Can you imagine having to take a car door off and sling it on the roof?

Terrible design!
 
I've got a couple of wooden rails below, that the perspex washboard slides into when it's not in use. keeps it out of the way and protects the surface as well. Worth thinking about.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top