Replacement Hatch Lens

[Neil McDonald]

Just back from a wonderful few days cruising in Desolation Sound. Blistering heat and lots of warm water for swimming to cool down.

Now for the bad news. While trying out my new hammock, mounted between the forestay and the mast, I managed to put some pressure on the V birth opening hatch, which then cracked the lens....... which now leaks. See attached incriminating picture! A Bomar hatch with a clear opening of around 19" - but the sides are slightly tapered towards the bow.

Research in the archives suggests that I could use the correct solvent to glue the pieces back together, but instinct says to find the right plastic material and cut myself a replacement lens. There are archive references to "marine grade acrylic", "polycarbonate" and "Lexan"....... so which is the right material? Obviously I need something that is scratch resistant and strong enough to stand on. Comments?

 

[Steve Dion]

contact Bomar, I believe they still have replacement lens.

 

[Joseph Shirley]

Here is one source

http://www.selectplastics.com/

And here is another

http://www.pompanette.com/pompweb.n...3efcd72046c17b45852567cf0043da17?OpenDocument

Joe S

 

[Maine Sail]

If your

If your Bomar hatch is not cast aluminum, with the internal stiffening cross bars under the glass, I believe it is cast acrylic not polycarbonate. If I recall the only Bomar hatches that use polycarbonate/Lexan are the ones with the stiffening bars and I think they are called the Series 100. Beyond that polycarbonate would not have likely cracked but rather flexed and broken the seal between the hatch and the glass. Cast Acrylic is stiffer but is more brittle.

Most marine hatches & ports are made from cast acrylic as this prevents flexing when someone steps on , or you take green water, and prevents breaking the seal. Because polycarbonate flexes so much Bomar uses internal support bars to minimize flexing on their polycarbonate hatches. At last check Bomar was the only manufacturer using polycarbonte and then only on certain hatches. Goiot, Lewmar, Atkins & Hoyle etc. all use cast acrylic.

As others have said Bomar may have replacement lenses but installing them correctly is a tedious process requiring very, very, very clean surfaces, the right sealants, and the ability to leave enough space between the aluminum and the acrylic to allow some flex & expansion without breaking the seal.

Select Plastics has a process that not only seals the hatch but that bonds the Acrylic to the aluminum just as they do at the Lewmar factory. Tony can turn it wround fairly quickly or you can try to DIY. You'll want to use Dow 795 for the sealant.

 

[Jalepeno]

Hi Neil,

The simple and most cost effective solution is to take the hatch to any of the Industrial Plastics stores in the Vancouver area. They will cut a new one from the correct plastic. I had the Richmond store to make a new sliding hatch and both side windows for my previous Hunter a couple of years ago. It will probably cost about $100 for a custom cut.

 

[Neil McDonald]

Thanks Jalepeno. I took your advice and bought the rectangle of cast acrylic for around C$50. IC wanted C$1 /minute to round off corners and cut the latch holes - so I elected to do this myself at home. An easy job!