V Berth Hatch Window

[twodzusfittings]

I decided that the original lens had way too much crazing and needed to be replaced. So I took some one sided sticky clear plastic sheet and copied the old existing lens while it is still in place. Then I transferred it to a piece of left over smoked plexiglass glass. Cut in with a very fine tooth band saw blade, sanded it and finished it with a 1/4 round on the router. Final sanding was done with a scotchbrite scrubber to make it a smooth finish but rough enough to let Dow 295 adhere to it. Now it's waiting for the day to be installed.

 

[kappykaplan]

Nicely done!

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

Final sanding was done with a scotchbrite scrubber to make it a smooth finish but rough enough to let Dow 295 adhere to it.

Or is that DC 795 ?

 

[twodzusfittings]

Or is that DC 795 ?

yup that!

 

[Richard19068]

I did similar on my O'Day 31. My issue was that the hatch is slightly rounded so the lens needs to have a radius to fit properly.
Is your hatch opening flat?

 

[twodzusfittings]

Is your hatch opening flat?

No. It will be heat bent slightly. I will create a wood en bending cradle that will have the curve I need and once all is strapped in and ready, I will apply heat and continue to bend by pulling on the straps. Heat will be generated by my halogen floor mounted work shop light. It's minimal but should be done. Once it's sat in the curve for a while, Im going to put it in the snow (if we get any) to cool off. Then leave it in the cradle until it's time to install. I took the lens down to the boat today. I need to sand off about 1/32" left side on the curve. Otherwise a very neat fit.

 

[Richard19068]

No. It will be heat bent slightly. I will create a wooden bending cradle that will have the curve I need and once all is strapped in and ready, I will apply heat and continue to bend by pulling on the straps. Heat will be generated by my halogen floor mounted work shop light. It's minimal but should be done. Once it's sat in the curve for a while, Im going to put it in the snow (if we get any) to cool off. Then leave it in the cradle until it's time to install. I took the lens down to the boat today. I need to sand off about 1/32" left side on the curve. Otherwise a very neat fit.

Okay. Same as mine. I put the radius in with a similar jig, but no snow here. I had the hatch cover at home and used some clamps to make sure the bow stayed in while the adhesive (BoatLife Life Seal) dried. It's been good for 15 years or so so far.