Replacing the Hatch Lens on my E 25+

[mainesailor]

I'd like to replace the crazed lens on my '79 E 25+. Is this a job I can do myself? Are there some specific resources where I might find what type of hatch it is and who might be able to supply me with a new lens?

 

[Christian Williams]

Got a photo of the hatch?

 

[Tin Kicker]

Search is your friend for the many prior threads on this so simply put the following in the search box:
hatch lens replace

 

[mainesailor]

Got a photo of the hatch?

Hi Christian,
Thanks for the possible help. Here are some pics of the hatch. It measures 17 and 7/8ths inches square.

 

[Tin Kicker]

Ought to be a breeze since there is not a frame to strip, fit, seal, etc. It's probably 1/2 or 3/4" and acrylic by the look of the crazing. Ought to cost less than $30-$40 at a plastic supplier such as http://www.plasticsupplyofmaine.com/about.html

Lay the old piece on the new to match drill and get the edges in the right places. Get some extra material to practice drilling and do some Googling if you don't know how. It's important to cut the holes so keep the drill bit cool and do not let the plastic melt.

If you are uncomfortable actually making the lens, I'm sure a place like the link above could do that for you too.

 

[Christian Williams]

Good, that's pretty close to the standard Lewmar hatches for which the lenses have been successfully switched out by many of us.

Boilerplate: You can send your entire hatch to Select Plastics/HatchMasters in Connecticut for repair. Very expensive, new hatch becomes viable alternative. They also sell the seal and repair kits for many old hatches and are a good information resource.

Probably you can replace the lenses yourself for a few hundred bucks.

E32-3 - Lewmar Superhatch Lens Replacement

The 27-year-old deck hatches didn't leak, sealed well, and the hardware was in good shape. The only problem was that the acrylic lenses looked like they had been in an auto accident--shot through with deep crazing resembling shattered safety...

www.ericsonyachts.org

If the new acrylic matches the thickness of the old acrylic, things go easier. Depends on what remnants your local plastics retailer has lying around. A new 4x8 sheet of acrylic is expensive.

E381 - Thelonious II -- Main Hatch Heat Forming, Vetus Cowls

There have been several good hatch lens replacement reports lately. Rick R. takes on Lewmar Rollstop hatches here. I found this video adds a bit to the critical procedure of finishing the visible seam where the acrylic joins the frame. My older...

ericsonyachts.org

 

[mainesailor]

Ought to be a breeze since there is not a frame to strip, fit, seal, etc. It's probably 1/2 or 3/4" and acrylic by the look of the crazing. Ought to cost less than $30-$40 at a plastic supplier such as http://www.plasticsupplyofmaine.com/about.html

Lay the old piece on the new to match drill and get the edges in the right places. Get some extra material to practice drilling and do some Googling if you don't know how. It's important to cut the holes so keep the drill bit cool and do not let the plastic melt.

If you are uncomfortable actually making the lens, I'm sure a place like the link above could do that for you too.

Thanks! It's a half inch thick for sure. I'll check out the link you sent and see what they say. If it's a Lewmar maybe I can find the gasket and seals through them too.

 

[Tin Kicker]

I have a very different hatch, but found that an $11 gasket from Amazon worked well.

 

[EGregerson]

Norva plastics in Norfolk, VA cut me 3 new hatch lenses for $149 total including drilled holes; 2074 gray Plexiglas 4 years ago. No leaks so far; still look great. good luck.

 

[Tin Kicker]

To include the drilled holes and not having to take the risk of scrapping a piece that is a great price!