NASA instrument covers

[Master_under_Dog]

The cockpit instrument covers have lasted about two seasons before disintegrating. I can get new at four pounds apiece but if they only last two seasons I am a bit reluctant to fork out. Are there other solutions? The three instruments are mounted on a piece of teak so I wondered if I could make a cover to go over the whole thing.

Michael

 

[steve28]

how have they failed?, i have had mine for six years now and apart from being grubby they are fine. Even with a two year old taking them off and playing with them.

Steve

 

[jusw]

I had a similar problem with the plastic degrading - quite simply they can't have added enough UV stabiliser into the base plastic.

I invested in two new ones this winter - I scoured the net and the best price I got was about £4 plus £1.50 carriage - I baulked at that but picked a pair up for £3.90 each from force 4 (no carriage) - I was so surprised, I bought them!

Now they look pretty smart and whilst they are a bit pricey if they aren't going to last, they look much better than anything I could make.

Jusw

 

[Master_under_Dog]

The covers seemed to rot along the edges resulting in them falling to pieces. This apparently happened during the twelve months or so that the boat was for sale, during which the covers were continuously exposed to all weathers. I am encouraged by your experience and wonder if, as JSWARBRI suggests, they were from a bad batch which had insufficient UV stabiliser.

Michael

 

[stevebrassett]

Mine lasted about 3 years before falling apart. They go brittle. The new ones have done about 18 months, and are fine so far.

 

[oldharry]

Why is it NASA have not yet learned about UV degradation. Their anemometer bits fall to pieces - now the covers as well!

I suppose its a nice little sideline selling replacements, but most other manufacturers seem to know about UV protected plastics...?

Pity, because the electronics side of them is pretty well spot on.

 

[Eccles]

My NASA covers have lasted 5 years without any sign of wear - perhaps I should remember to put them over the displays instead of tucked by the chart table!

 

[PLEIAS]

Just get a sheet of plastick self adhesive and stick it on.Have done so myself and has lasted last three years without any more troubles although before they were falling apart at the edges.Nice touch a blue stripe on the side that was left over from the hull stripes.

 

[Avocet]

That's odd! Mine have been out in the cockpit for 7 years or so and other than being grubby (OK, filthy!) they're fine! (Still, I suppose Cumbria isn't quite up there next to St Tropex when it comes to UV)!