Portlights

[alanporter]

I need to replace some portlights on my boat and am thinking of using one of the various types of plastic instead of glass. Can someone advise me about the pros and cons of the different types. Thanks.


<hr width=100% size=1>Alan Porter

 

[paulrossall]

Not sure if you want to replace just the glass, or the whole fitting. I took cracked glass out of mine and had local glass merchant cut toughened/ safety glass (I don't know which but glass man will tell you which is strongest). Glass is very strong and does not get scratched or discoloured so I consider it to be the best to use. Cost, about £2.5. IMHO.
Paul

<hr width=100% size=1>" there is nothing-absolutely nothing-half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats".

 

[Avocet]

Toughened glass is by far the best. Laminated is easier to cut but might ultimately go milky around the edges unless well sealed because water gets between the glass and the plastic interlayer. For plastics, the two main choices are Acrylic (such as "Perspex") or a polycarbonate such as "Makrolon". Acrylics have a harder surface but can be broken. They are the more scratch-resistant of the two but also more brittle. They can be difficult to cut without cracking - use a slow jigsaw speed and plenty of thin oil as a coolant. Polycarbonates are almost unbreakable but softer so they scratch very easily and turn "milky" after a period exposed to the elements. It should be possible to get coated polycarbonate but I don't know any trade names. If it were me, I'd be using glass unless weight saving was a big issue.

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[jon]

I have had 6mm toughened glass one offs from Piper Glass in Watford UK
http://www.piperglass.com
They are excellent,ground edges, mail order no problem, highly recomended.

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