Thrilled with our new hatch lenses

[bsangs]

As many of you know, the Lewmar SuperHatches on some of our Ericsons stopped being produced in 1987, which makes getting replacement parts a bit of a bear. The good folks at Hatchmasters.com have some parts available. They were a big help last summer when I needed to fix some loose, leaky handles, and replace the decaying hinges so that the hatches would stay open. One of our projects this winter was to get the crazily crazed hatch lenses replaced, and Hatchmasters came through again. (I know some people here do such work themselves, but that one was out of my wheelhouse for a variety of reasons.) Removed the blue tarps covering the hatch holes and reinstalled these yesterday. Beyond pleased. Will be nice being able to actually see through them this season. Now I can take the shrink wrap off in a couple weeks and do some early spring sailing in and around NYC.

 

[Prairie Schooner]

As many of you know, the Lewmar SuperHatches on some of our Ericsons stopped being produced in 1987, which makes getting replacement parts a bit of a bear. The good folks at Hatchmasters.com have some parts available. They were a big help last summer when I needed to fix some loose, leaky handles, and replace the decaying hinges so that the hatches would stay open. One of our projects this winter was to get the crazily crazed hatch lenses replaced, and Hatchmasters came through again. (I know some people here do such work themselves, but that one was out of my wheelhouse for a variety of reasons.) Removed the blue tarps covering the hatch holes and reinstalled these yesterday. Beyond pleased. Will be nice being able to actually see through them this season. Now I can take the shrink wrap off in a couple weeks and do some early spring sailing in and around NYC.

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Looks great Brian! Good to hear. I've been talking with Tony and we're taking ours down his way in a week or two.

 

[bsangs]

Looks great Brian! Good to hear. I've been talking with Tony and we're taking ours down his way in a week or two.

Thanks Jeff. Tony is stopping by our marina sometime this summer. Have already extended an invite for him to come aboard for a drink or two. Anne and Jake are great over there as well. Only problem is that these new lenses are making me want to replace our crazed opening portlights now.

 

[Dave G.]

Very nice ! How much ?

 

[bsangs]

Very nice ! How much ?

These were $439 each plus shipping. (Could have also driven to Connecticut to pick them up.) Lewmar Superhatch size 60. Includes new acrylic lens, seal, gasket, O-rings and hinge strap gaskets.

 

[Prairie Schooner]

Brian,
Did you have a choice between clear and smoked lenses? If so, what went into your decision?
I'd been kind of thinking smoked for the V-berth and clear for the saloon. Smoked to keep the forward end cooler and add a little more privacy. Clear mid-ships to allow more light and it's already shaded some by the boom. But I'm sure there are factors I haven't considered.
Thanks,
Jeff

 

[Christian Williams]

Myself, I haven't seen clear hatch lenses. Mine are gray acrylic 2064 which lets plenty of light in and vision out but not in. I keep the (necessary) Sunbrella covers on most of the time while sailing, so as not to boil the cabin.

It would be nice to hand over hatches to a jobber for lens replacement, especially if no expensive shipping involved, but as others can attest the project is entirely within the skills of all of us.

 

[bsangs]

Brian,
Did you have a choice between clear and smoked lenses? If so, what went into your decision?
I'd been kind of thinking smoked for the V-berth and clear for the saloon. Smoked to keep the forward end cooler and add a little more privacy. Clear mid-ships to allow more light and it's already shaded some by the boom. But I'm sure there are factors I haven't considered.
Thanks,
Jeff

Sorry for the delayed response Jeff. No, actually, I wasn't given an option. I was told what they would be and that was right in line with what I wanted. The previous lenses had a blueish tint to them, or at least that's what they looked like through all the crazing. You can't even tell they're smoked from inside the cabin. Has an optical illusion of looking clear. I'll be reattaching my Outland Hatch Covers once it becomes too hot though. They do a great job of "cooling" down the cabin and keeping out light at night when sleeping.

 

[bsangs]

Myself, I haven't seen clear hatch lenses. Mine are gray acrylic 2064 which lets plenty of light in and vision out but not in. I keep the (necessary) Sunbrella covers on most of the time while sailing, so as not to boil the cabin.

It would be nice to hand over hatches to a jobber for lens replacement, especially if no expensive shipping involved, but as others can attest the project is entirely within the skills of all of us.

Will get no apologies from me for farming out this task. Other projects, lack of space, appropriate materials, unheated garage in winter time all made it one of my easier decisions. And in the world of BOAT dollars, was relatively inexpensive for the work involved.

 

[Prairie Schooner]

. . .
It would be nice to hand over hatches to a jobber for lens replacement, especially if no expensive shipping involved, but as others can attest the project is entirely within the skills of all of us.

The Minister of Project Management (Donna) said “This boat is going in the water by the end of May, come hell or high water. You can’t do everything.” The Chancellor of the Exchequer (also Donna) said, “We can afford to have someone do this.” Sez I, “Aw geez, but the guys say it’s not that hard.” Then the Secretary of State for Common Sense (Donna, again) invoked the Broken Bolt Principle.



So, I pulled the old hatches off today and we’ll drive to nearby Connecticut to drop them off with Tony.
My life is always better when smart women are looking out for me.

 

[Prairie Schooner]

Now I'm just being silly.

 

[bsangs]

Now I'm just being silly.

View attachment 46261

Why did you have to remove the frame as well? Was it damaged? I just needed to send in the lid with the old lens and hinge straps attached.

 

[Prairie Schooner]

Why did you have to remove the frame as well? Was it damaged? I just needed to send in the lid with the old lens and hinge straps attached.

I want to rebed the frames. Both hatches were leaking and I couldn't tell for sure where.

 

[Bolo]

Now I'm just being silly.

View attachment 46261

YEP! YEP! YEP! YEP! YEP!

 

[Bolo]

Christian has two very good blogs, one with video, about replacing the hatch lenses and reversing the hatch opening on his old E32-3. Having that same model and now dealing with a small leak in the main (bigger) hatch, I'm thinking of rebidding the plexiglass lens that was replaced years back by Hatchmasters and while I'm at it reversing the hatch opening to better clear the boom vang. Thanks Christian!

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...

ericsonyachts.org

E32-3 - Reversing the Main Hatch

Reversing the main hatch (factory installation Lewmar "Superhatch" shown above) is a popular modification to avoid conflict with the boom vang. Getting the frame unseated took a while, using gentle prying with putty knives and screwdrivers. The...

ericsonyachts.org