Replacing wood washboard with acrylic

[airborne1]

Hi, during my refit I would like to replace my wood washboards/weatherboards and hatch slide with plastic of some kind.
Has anyone done this and if so what material did you use and what thickness?? Or maybe your boat is already fitted with these and can tell me what thickness and material they are made of.
Is smoked acrylic better than perspex or maybe plexiglass??
Anyone know of a good supplier who would understand boat problems??
Thanks

 

[Bodach na mara]

Hi Brian, Wight Dawn has an acrylic main hatch for use when we do not want to shut out the daylight with the wooden washboards, but it is an extra, not a replacement. It is in one piece (the normal boards are three pieces) and is 6mm thick. The downside to using it in harbour is loss of privacy, but it is great at anchor.

Regarding the colour, a cautionary tale. The fore hatch on the Renown is a translucent glass moulding and it was getting a bit crazed in the centre. I got the crazed bit cut out and replaced with a tinted acrylic. When in transit on the Caledonian canal, the crew of another boat crossed the forehatch (passing between the babystay and mast, which was a bit rude of them) and as we were in our berths in the forepeak, I could see that one of them was a true Scot! I got up later to have a look down and found out that, with the cabin light on, there was no privacy in the cabin. I have now fitted a roller sunscreen, something that was not necessary before.

Finally suppliers. The last time I needed any of this stuff, I consulted Yellow Pages looking for makers of advertising signs. I got the stuff in Maryhill in Glasgow. I forget exactly where, but it may have been the place that burned down a few years ago.

 

[JayBee]

Ian Thomson at QD Plastics in the Broadmeadow Industrial Estate, Dumbarton knows everything there is to know about this. No connection, other than as one of many satisfied customers.

 

[Krusty]

Material and thickness of a standard forehatch with dimensions of a glazed area no less than your washboards would be a reasonable guide, I think.