The perspex of the cabin lights(windows) on my 21 year old jouet 760 is extensivly crazed and cracked looking. I have seen this on other boats but is it a serious problem?Does it affect the strength and water proofness of the material? One of the lights is on the hull and could be submerged at large angles of heel so it is important it doesn't leak. If it's a problem, what should be done?
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PMMA - Acrylic
“Perspex” (Lucite), and “Plexiglass” (Rohm & Haas) are both trademames for PMMA (Polymethyl methacrylate, or polymethyl 2-methylpropenoate), a synthetic polymer of methyl methacrylate - otherwise known as Acrylic. These plastics are soft, and subject to scratching, crazing, and clouding.
“Perspex” (Lucite), and “Plexiglass” (Rohm & Haas) are both trademames for PMMA (Polymethyl methacrylate, or polymethyl 2-methylpropenoate), a synthetic polymer of methyl methacrylate - otherwise known as Acrylic. These plastics are soft, and subject to scratching, crazing, and clouding.
If it ain't broken......
just do maintance on it. You could have a marine shop replace the acrylic and reseal the frame or you clould do it yourself. The first option WILL result in the lightining of your wallet and possably a return to "finalize" the repair while the later only requires that you buy some new tools (maybe) and learn some new skills (maybe). The biggest problem with the latter solution is getting the arcylic, it is probably thicker than you can buy at Home Depot so you have to find a source, probably the web, and they will want to sell you a 4'x8' sheet. I've seen them sell 4'x4' sheets also. The repair is pretty easy as long as the screws are not corroded and the threads get stripped. Even then it is a simple matter of going to the next size up in screws and tapping out the frames for same. Just note how the pieces come off and put them back on in reverse order and don't spair the bedding compound. Good luck.
just do maintance on it. You could have a marine shop replace the acrylic and reseal the frame or you clould do it yourself. The first option WILL result in the lightining of your wallet and possably a return to "finalize" the repair while the later only requires that you buy some new tools (maybe) and learn some new skills (maybe). The biggest problem with the latter solution is getting the arcylic, it is probably thicker than you can buy at Home Depot so you have to find a source, probably the web, and they will want to sell you a 4'x8' sheet. I've seen them sell 4'x4' sheets also. The repair is pretty easy as long as the screws are not corroded and the threads get stripped. Even then it is a simple matter of going to the next size up in screws and tapping out the frames for same. Just note how the pieces come off and put them back on in reverse order and don't spair the bedding compound. Good luck.
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