H37C Overhead Hatch

[sailnc]

The translucent portion of the overhead hatch in the main salon has cracked from side to side. It was badly sun-damaged, probably original to the boat, and a bit of pressure from my knee on deck was the last straw.
Has anyone replaced this hatch, and if so, did you find a drop-in replacement?
I'm also wondering how these hatches were originally installed -- is it just a matter of unbolting the frame or did they attach it with "Satan's glue" (3M 5200)?
I guess another option might be to replace just the acrylic "lens" portion...?
Thanks for any advice!
Tom

 

[Jim Legere]

The Bomar hatches were pretty good quality - cast aluminum frames, etc. I would look at replacing the 'glass'. Do some research on Plexiglass and Lexan to determine which to use and the proper 'goop' for sealing the new glass in place. Then order the material cut-to-measure at your local plastic supplier or you can do the cutting yourself if you have the tools & experience. I suspect the Bomar hatches use acrylic (Plexiglass).

 

[kloudie1]

three options.. replace entirely.. expensive, and a lot of checking to be done to make sure the new one is the same size and fits as desired.. second is Hatchmasters. they can take and refurbish the old hatch.. probably half as much as a new hatch.. https://hatchmasters.com/ or you can change the lens yourself ..

I did a forward hatch, 19 1/2 square, 1" corner radius, using 3/8 smoked acrylic from Tapp Plastics.. they cut and radiiused to my measurements.. the lens was $62.. the hatch lens for the salon hatch (13 1/4" by 18 1/4 with 1 1/2" corner radius) was $38.. a tube of 795 did both hatches. it was about $14.. Your hatches may be quite different in size.. mine are Bowmar..

 

[sailnc]

Thank you, Jim and Claude -- I am inspired to attempt this myself. Our forward hatch, though not cracked yet, would also benefit from the same treatment. I like the idea of ordering the acrylic pre-cut.
Did you do the work with the hatch still mounted to the deck, or remove the hatch (like the guy in the video)?