Quick answer. Today only. I have smoke plexiglass on my 5 hatches, with teak sides. They should be replaced. I have the opportunity to get thicker ones, but in clear, for a fraction of replacement smoke. Why should I use smoke vs. clear? yu southernersa should have a good answer. Up in Cleveland it never gets that hot that clear presents a problem, but down south I bet you would boil. I can alwats put a fim coating in the inside. Some thoughts?
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privacy
It is much more difficult for someone to look inside the boat when the lenses are smoke colored. For example, at a marina, do you want people to have a clear view of your boat's interior or keep them guessing with a smoke colored lense?
It is much more difficult for someone to look inside the boat when the lenses are smoke colored. For example, at a marina, do you want people to have a clear view of your boat's interior or keep them guessing with a smoke colored lense?
Save the money
Hi Tom - when I replaced the companionway slider, I got clear. Smoked was quoted just a bit less than double clear. We covered it with automotive tinting film, which was harder to work with than we thought it would be, but the end product came out well. I went to a guy in Mentor who did the cutting and drilling for screw holes. By the way, we put the coating on the outside and it held up well to the weather. Probably paid more than I needed to, but we were running late and got turn key service from a local guy, which is worth something. Mike
Hi Tom - when I replaced the companionway slider, I got clear. Smoked was quoted just a bit less than double clear. We covered it with automotive tinting film, which was harder to work with than we thought it would be, but the end product came out well. I went to a guy in Mentor who did the cutting and drilling for screw holes. By the way, we put the coating on the outside and it held up well to the weather. Probably paid more than I needed to, but we were running late and got turn key service from a local guy, which is worth something. Mike
Some prices
Tap Plastics 3/8" 2' x 4' Clear Acrylic 81.20 3/8" 2' x 4' Solar Grey Acrylic 120.00 3/8" 2' x 4' Polycarbonate 156.40
Tap Plastics 3/8" 2' x 4' Clear Acrylic 81.20 3/8" 2' x 4' Solar Grey Acrylic 120.00 3/8" 2' x 4' Polycarbonate 156.40
no privacy
At night with the cabin lights on you can see thru smoked or clear. Tinted film works, but after you buy the clear and the film, you might as well just buy the smoked.
At night with the cabin lights on you can see thru smoked or clear. Tinted film works, but after you buy the clear and the film, you might as well just buy the smoked.
White
Our boat came with with Lewmar hatches. They diffuse the light coming in so it is brighter , but not as harsh. The block anyone from looking in day or night , and definately help cool the boat without making it dark like a cave.
Our boat came with with Lewmar hatches. They diffuse the light coming in so it is brighter , but not as harsh. The block anyone from looking in day or night , and definately help cool the boat without making it dark like a cave.
Tinted will move more than clear.
Tinted acylic or polycarbonate becomes much hotter than than clear, and will move almost 1/8" over a square foot area. Make sure you leave lots of room for the portlights to move.
Tinted acylic or polycarbonate becomes much hotter than than clear, and will move almost 1/8" over a square foot area. Make sure you leave lots of room for the portlights to move.
thanks
Oh-oh a response. I measured the 5 hatches today and was surprised they were 3/8ths. I looked thru each and they all looked ok, sort of. I was going to replace them with 1/2 inch clear, at $15.00 each (except for the big ones.) I prefer clear having been out on the lake at night and trying to see through them to look up the mast from the salon. Impossible. And you would be able to see the stars and storms from both forward and aft cabin berths. The end result is I will keep the money in my pockets for a while longer. Thanks. A friend who lives in Fla said to go with tint because it gets HOT in the summer if you don't. That must be why I see boats for sale with covers for the hatches and the listings are all in the deep south.
Oh-oh a response. I measured the 5 hatches today and was surprised they were 3/8ths. I looked thru each and they all looked ok, sort of. I was going to replace them with 1/2 inch clear, at $15.00 each (except for the big ones.) I prefer clear having been out on the lake at night and trying to see through them to look up the mast from the salon. Impossible. And you would be able to see the stars and storms from both forward and aft cabin berths. The end result is I will keep the money in my pockets for a while longer. Thanks. A friend who lives in Fla said to go with tint because it gets HOT in the summer if you don't. That must be why I see boats for sale with covers for the hatches and the listings are all in the deep south.
Tinted
Buy the factory tinted (smoked) or do it yourself, but get them for sure. Privacy is a minor point...don't want the sun to eat your seat coverings and interior. In fact, when I leave the boat, I have home made covers I put on the inside of all windows and hatches.
Buy the factory tinted (smoked) or do it yourself, but get them for sure. Privacy is a minor point...don't want the sun to eat your seat coverings and interior. In fact, when I leave the boat, I have home made covers I put on the inside of all windows and hatches.
42 miles north.
Tom my last boat required hatch covers so the air conditioning would work. Even up here in Canada it gets as hot as Florida at least for a few days. If you ever consider any off shore work or want to stop B&E's Lexan is the correct material for ports & hatches.
Tom my last boat required hatch covers so the air conditioning would work. Even up here in Canada it gets as hot as Florida at least for a few days. If you ever consider any off shore work or want to stop B&E's Lexan is the correct material for ports & hatches.
another consideration
If you buy clear, and privacy and light are a consideration, you can use a random orbital sander or palm sander to etch the inside of the hatch. This will make it translucent rather than transparent. If you want to leave a 'peek window' to check the sails/stars, etc, you can mask off a small area with masking tape and avoid sanding this area. I saw a fellow use this technique for overhead ports. They were as bright as florescent lights, yet gave lots of privacy and did not seem to let in a lot of heat. He too was up here in Canada so the greenhouse effect was a minor consideration.
If you buy clear, and privacy and light are a consideration, you can use a random orbital sander or palm sander to etch the inside of the hatch. This will make it translucent rather than transparent. If you want to leave a 'peek window' to check the sails/stars, etc, you can mask off a small area with masking tape and avoid sanding this area. I saw a fellow use this technique for overhead ports. They were as bright as florescent lights, yet gave lots of privacy and did not seem to let in a lot of heat. He too was up here in Canada so the greenhouse effect was a minor consideration.
now thats intresting
I didn't think of sanding one side because...I didn't think of it. Might work if privacy is an issue...no would work if privacy is an issue...but I am not so sure of the UV protection. Most people selling the stuff don't know what the UV protection of their product is. They just sell it as a solution to one problem. As for Lexan or what the product is, polycarbinate, I thought of that too and will most likely get that. What about buying clear 1/8 or 1/4 lexan and install it under the stuff thats there. I thought of installing it OVER whats there, but it's not as scratch resistant. And yes it will raise the top, weigh more, but it will give that added measure of protection. Certainly I am going to replace my companionway boards with 1" or 1 1/8 lexan, if I can find it. Great ideas. Thanks. Now if I was rich, I'd replace my fold down wing table in the salon with one made with acrylic. It would reduce the weight of the monstrocity thats there.] Now what I'd really like to do is get one of those slim LCD screen TV/computer monitors that is the same size as the table. Think about this: you can use it as a TV or computer screen or BOTH with Picture-in-a Picture while in the up position, or use it as a table top in the down position AND watch TV at the same time: or In the up position you could use it as a computer monitor and flash your favorite Bahamas pictues as a slide show while entertaining paying guests with Caribbean music playing: AND with picture in a picture, actually see she game on the TV while surfing the net and eating a lobster lunch at the same time....WAY COOL or...
I didn't think of sanding one side because...I didn't think of it. Might work if privacy is an issue...no would work if privacy is an issue...but I am not so sure of the UV protection. Most people selling the stuff don't know what the UV protection of their product is. They just sell it as a solution to one problem. As for Lexan or what the product is, polycarbinate, I thought of that too and will most likely get that. What about buying clear 1/8 or 1/4 lexan and install it under the stuff thats there. I thought of installing it OVER whats there, but it's not as scratch resistant. And yes it will raise the top, weigh more, but it will give that added measure of protection. Certainly I am going to replace my companionway boards with 1" or 1 1/8 lexan, if I can find it. Great ideas. Thanks. Now if I was rich, I'd replace my fold down wing table in the salon with one made with acrylic. It would reduce the weight of the monstrocity thats there.] Now what I'd really like to do is get one of those slim LCD screen TV/computer monitors that is the same size as the table. Think about this: you can use it as a TV or computer screen or BOTH with Picture-in-a Picture while in the up position, or use it as a table top in the down position AND watch TV at the same time: or In the up position you could use it as a computer monitor and flash your favorite Bahamas pictues as a slide show while entertaining paying guests with Caribbean music playing: AND with picture in a picture, actually see she game on the TV while surfing the net and eating a lobster lunch at the same time....WAY COOL or...
Get the clear
and order UV protectant film and put the film on before you put them on the hatches. I've put the UV film over my hatches and it makes a lot of difference...and it also protects the hatch (just smoking them doesn't). I have to admit, I put the film on my hatches as is and it made it a lot harder because of the latches getting in the way, but if you do it before you put them on, it will be easy. You can get the film (2x15) for about $30 online.
and order UV protectant film and put the film on before you put them on the hatches. I've put the UV film over my hatches and it makes a lot of difference...and it also protects the hatch (just smoking them doesn't). I have to admit, I put the film on my hatches as is and it made it a lot harder because of the latches getting in the way, but if you do it before you put them on, it will be easy. You can get the film (2x15) for about $30 online.
Be aware
Be aware that arcylic may shatter when struck with some object. Polycarbonate is a lot stronger and will not shatter when hit. Arcylic will remain clear while over time polycarbonate tends to yellow when exposed to uv even though the manufactures say they have coatings to prevent this they tend not to be effective over time. A good overlaminate uv protective film is a good idea. Remove fittings apply film then then reinstall fittings
Be aware that arcylic may shatter when struck with some object. Polycarbonate is a lot stronger and will not shatter when hit. Arcylic will remain clear while over time polycarbonate tends to yellow when exposed to uv even though the manufactures say they have coatings to prevent this they tend not to be effective over time. A good overlaminate uv protective film is a good idea. Remove fittings apply film then then reinstall fittings
Cheapskate
On my previous boat a passenger stepped on the smoked companionway hatch and broke it. I found some nice scrap Lexan, but it was clear. I was told not to put film on it, as it needed to "breathe." So I fogged a light layer of flat black paint across it in several random sweeps. It served about the same as film would have, giving privacy and holding up well. Don't know if it did much to stop UV, however. Net cost was pretty close to zero.
On my previous boat a passenger stepped on the smoked companionway hatch and broke it. I found some nice scrap Lexan, but it was clear. I was told not to put film on it, as it needed to "breathe." So I fogged a light layer of flat black paint across it in several random sweeps. It served about the same as film would have, giving privacy and holding up well. Don't know if it did much to stop UV, however. Net cost was pretty close to zero.
No need to paint
Polycarbonate needs to "breathe" when new. That is because polycarbonate holds water when new. However when placed in an oven or a box that will maintain 180 degrees for 24 hours all the water will have leached out and film can sucessfully be applied without concern that it will absorb additional water.
Polycarbonate needs to "breathe" when new. That is because polycarbonate holds water when new. However when placed in an oven or a box that will maintain 180 degrees for 24 hours all the water will have leached out and film can sucessfully be applied without concern that it will absorb additional water.
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