2003 Hunter 426DS Where the large beatiful view windows are starting to craze.

[cadilaccb]

Since 2003 these large windows in the main caben have been covered with protective canvas diligently.
This season i am now seeing crazing taking place all be it minimal now i can see the road ahead and would like to ask if anyone has this same issue? Is there anything you know of to prevent or repair it? What is the material that the windows are made of?
Some say plexiglass other Lexon. FInally, has anyone actually replaced these?
Any help on the matter is greatly appreciated.
Thank you

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

Since 2003 these large windows in the main caben have been covered with protective canvas diligently.

What an absolute kick in the . I thought that covering the acrylic glass was the way to eliminate crazing permanently. Maybe not .

Three years ago, I decided to install my own hatch and port covers in the belief that they would reduce UV radiation and eliminate crazing. The boat is 1999 and I bought it new. I have replaced the three opening hatch lenses and three opening port lenses three years ago as they were getting far more crazed than the non opening ones. Manufacturer's built obsolescence I would suppose. The non opening ones range from lightly crazed to as god as new condition. The covers were an attempt to eliminate further crazing. A few examples :

The above is an odd one as the crazing only shows as a few deep cracks. No exterior blemishes thereby eliminating impact at some previous time.

Lewmar opening portlight all asparkle. The other two looked identical in failure. Replacement lenses were about $100.00 ea.

All hatches looked the same (all sparkly) as well. Fortunately, I was able to cut and fit my own replacement acrylic lenses for these hatches for about $20.00 ea.

These are my covers made up about 3 years ago :

The hatch covers were installed shortly after this picture was taken.

What are your covers made from and what colour. The above are white Sunbrella. Is your boat a 2003 or older ?

 

[Scott B]

Replacing is common. They are available here at Hunterowners.com You can also search on the topic in the forum as it comes up often.

Article on removal and resealing.

https://sbo.sailboatowners.com/downloads/Hunter__63520717.pdf

 

[cadilaccb]

Thank you kindly for the quick response. Looks like a good winter project.
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