Could someone tell me where I can find a plexiglas companionway cover. Do they work any better than the 2 piece wood covers?
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Dave Condon
Hatch boards
I assume you are speaking about the hatch boards. If you have the old ones to use as a pattern, then take them for example to a glass shop or windshield shop to see if they can fabricate them for you. If not, they will be able to tell you who to go to. Cheaper that way. One thing to mention is where the two boards come together, angle them upwards on the bottom of the top piece and top of the bottom piece so water will not come in between the two. Crazy Dave
I assume you are speaking about the hatch boards. If you have the old ones to use as a pattern, then take them for example to a glass shop or windshield shop to see if they can fabricate them for you. If not, they will be able to tell you who to go to. Cheaper that way. One thing to mention is where the two boards come together, angle them upwards on the bottom of the top piece and top of the bottom piece so water will not come in between the two. Crazy Dave
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Ward
You can make them
You can purchase smoked plexiglass (1/4 inch) for about $8.00 per square foot. I did this on the boat I just purchased. Once you have the plexiglass you have several options to install it depending on your abitlities and/or how fancy you want to get. Simple way: Cut the lower plexiglass the same as the old wood one. Then cut the upper one a little longer than the old wood one so it overlaps the lower one and reduces leaking into the cabin. You screw some teak handles (similar to the companion way handles) on the front of each piece of plexiglass to facilitate removal and your done. Fancy way: I am framing each piece of plexiglass with teak (all sides). The teak frame will fit down in the existing hatch groove and will give a much more water-tite seal. The upper and lower hatch pieces will be tongue and grooved to fit together with the upper hatch having a drip trim over the joint to keep water out. This method requires cabinet making equipment to do right, but results in a tight, rattle free installation. Advantage to plexiglass is it lets lots more light in. Other than that, I can't think of much difference to that and just replacing it with teak plywood. If you're interested, I could take some pictures and do a drawing when I get mine finished.
You can purchase smoked plexiglass (1/4 inch) for about $8.00 per square foot. I did this on the boat I just purchased. Once you have the plexiglass you have several options to install it depending on your abitlities and/or how fancy you want to get. Simple way: Cut the lower plexiglass the same as the old wood one. Then cut the upper one a little longer than the old wood one so it overlaps the lower one and reduces leaking into the cabin. You screw some teak handles (similar to the companion way handles) on the front of each piece of plexiglass to facilitate removal and your done. Fancy way: I am framing each piece of plexiglass with teak (all sides). The teak frame will fit down in the existing hatch groove and will give a much more water-tite seal. The upper and lower hatch pieces will be tongue and grooved to fit together with the upper hatch having a drip trim over the joint to keep water out. This method requires cabinet making equipment to do right, but results in a tight, rattle free installation. Advantage to plexiglass is it lets lots more light in. Other than that, I can't think of much difference to that and just replacing it with teak plywood. If you're interested, I could take some pictures and do a drawing when I get mine finished.
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Gary
Companionway
You will find that the Plexiglass replacements are very expensive and the glass dealer will have a difficult time finding glass thick enough. I have found teak laminate and I was able to reproduce exact beautiful looking replacements for a fraction of the cost. If you are interested send me an email.
You will find that the Plexiglass replacements are very expensive and the glass dealer will have a difficult time finding glass thick enough. I have found teak laminate and I was able to reproduce exact beautiful looking replacements for a fraction of the cost. If you are interested send me an email.
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Jay Hill
Expensive Plexiglass?????
Ward said $8 sqft for 1/4" and Gary says expensive. Well, I guess this is another reason to live in Texas. 1/4" smoked plexiglass is $2.62 sqft (just bought some) and is treated to be more UV resistant. 1/2" smoked plexiglass is $5.83 sqft and fits in companionway hatch slide well. If you've got a router or a friend with one, you can buy a couple of router bits cheaper than hiring a shop to cut the pieces to fit. My H31 hatch is 32 X 28 requiring a 32X32 piece. Couldn't buy it that way so I bought a 48X48 piece. At 16 sqft it was $93.28. Solid teak of same size was $287. Now I have new hatchboards (two instead of five) that never have to be sanded or varnished. OTOH, I just did this to provide a better backup for the doors I just ordered from HOW. I hated having 5 hatch boards.
Ward said $8 sqft for 1/4" and Gary says expensive. Well, I guess this is another reason to live in Texas. 1/4" smoked plexiglass is $2.62 sqft (just bought some) and is treated to be more UV resistant. 1/2" smoked plexiglass is $5.83 sqft and fits in companionway hatch slide well. If you've got a router or a friend with one, you can buy a couple of router bits cheaper than hiring a shop to cut the pieces to fit. My H31 hatch is 32 X 28 requiring a 32X32 piece. Couldn't buy it that way so I bought a 48X48 piece. At 16 sqft it was $93.28. Solid teak of same size was $287. Now I have new hatchboards (two instead of five) that never have to be sanded or varnished. OTOH, I just did this to provide a better backup for the doors I just ordered from HOW. I hated having 5 hatch boards.
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Chris
Where can you buy this?
WHERE can you buy the smoked plexiglass at those cheap prices??? Please let me know, since I too live in Texas, although a little furhter South... (Houston) and I may have access to the same place.. Thanks!
WHERE can you buy the smoked plexiglass at those cheap prices??? Please let me know, since I too live in Texas, although a little furhter South... (Houston) and I may have access to the same place.. Thanks!
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Philip Teter
Hatch boards II
I agree with Dave except I went to a local plastics dealer that my marina recomended. I replaced the hatchboards on my 20 about five years ago and it was about $100 then. They still look as good as new, teak plywood would be shot again by now. Go for the 1/2" I did. Phil
I agree with Dave except I went to a local plastics dealer that my marina recomended. I replaced the hatchboards on my 20 about five years ago and it was about $100 then. They still look as good as new, teak plywood would be shot again by now. Go for the 1/2" I did. Phil
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Jay Hill
I'll get it
The name of the supplier is at "the other office". I'll try to get the information as soon as possible and post it.
The name of the supplier is at "the other office". I'll try to get the information as soon as possible and post it.
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Russ Kline
Let me know if I can help you...
Dear Gary,I work with plastics and could be of some assistance in steering you in the right direction.I feel Plexi might not always be the right solution for your situation you could try Starboard instead.If you would like to know more please e-mail me at RiSKIT37@cs.com Russ Kline
Dear Gary,I work with plastics and could be of some assistance in steering you in the right direction.I feel Plexi might not always be the right solution for your situation you could try Starboard instead.If you would like to know more please e-mail me at RiSKIT37@cs.com Russ Kline
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