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Video: 1985-era Lewmar Superhatch Lens Removal and Replacement
- Thread starter Christian Williams
- Start date
Way to go!
Very Helpful video.
You did not comment on the old "roll stop" hinges, and I was wondering if they still work OK.
When we bought our boat in '94, those would no longer even hold up the hatches. Given that our large (series 70) fore hatch was bent from abuse before we acquired the boat, we replaced that hatch with a new one.
Later I replaced the badly-crazed vent hatch. (The adjustable-friction hinge scheme is far superior on the newer ones.)
Your finished hatch looks fabulous.
Regards,
Loren
Very Helpful video.
You did not comment on the old "roll stop" hinges, and I was wondering if they still work OK.
When we bought our boat in '94, those would no longer even hold up the hatches. Given that our large (series 70) fore hatch was bent from abuse before we acquired the boat, we replaced that hatch with a new one.
Later I replaced the badly-crazed vent hatch. (The adjustable-friction hinge scheme is far superior on the newer ones.)
Your finished hatch looks fabulous.
Regards,
Loren
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Regarding the roll-stop mechanism, mine still work quite well. As spares, I did order from Select Plastics the hinge kit ($60), which provides replacements for the pins and snubbers that keep the open hatch in its three positions.
I intend to make insulated covers as soon as I plunge into learning to use my new/old Singer 237 sewing machine. However, I am told that acrylic is also subject to crazing from undue pressures and twists. Therefore it is a good idea when re-installing the hatch lids to take care not to jam home the dogs before they are correctly adjusted. The dogs should close pretty easily, not crush the lid and gasket like King Kong.
I intend to make insulated covers as soon as I plunge into learning to use my new/old Singer 237 sewing machine. However, I am told that acrylic is also subject to crazing from undue pressures and twists. Therefore it is a good idea when re-installing the hatch lids to take care not to jam home the dogs before they are correctly adjusted. The dogs should close pretty easily, not crush the lid and gasket like King Kong.
mherrcat
Contributing Partner
What material did you use for the new lenses?
How did you secure the part of the hinge that attaches to the lid? The original bolts had some kind of funky nut on the inside.
Did you give the original lenses to a plastics supplier and have them cut and drill the new lenses to match or did you do it yourself?
How did you secure the part of the hinge that attaches to the lid? The original bolts had some kind of funky nut on the inside.
Did you give the original lenses to a plastics supplier and have them cut and drill the new lenses to match or did you do it yourself?
I used the 3/8ths acrylic recommended by the plastics shop for sun exposure. Standard item for them.
For the hinges, on one hatch I re-used the original fastenings--the female sleeved nut and the SS machine screw. For the other hatch I used a 1 1/4" SS flathead machine bolt (also called a machine screw) , and on the underside a SS fender washer, then a finishing washer, capped with an SS hex cap nut. I filled the void in the acrylic around the bolt shaft with butyl rubber. It snugged down very securely and I think I will change the other hatch to match, since it looks very neat and pro.
Yes, the plastics shop cut and drilled the new acrylic using my old lenses as patterns. They strongly recommended it, and I have no experience cutting plastic.
For the hinges, on one hatch I re-used the original fastenings--the female sleeved nut and the SS machine screw. For the other hatch I used a 1 1/4" SS flathead machine bolt (also called a machine screw) , and on the underside a SS fender washer, then a finishing washer, capped with an SS hex cap nut. I filled the void in the acrylic around the bolt shaft with butyl rubber. It snugged down very securely and I think I will change the other hatch to match, since it looks very neat and pro.
Yes, the plastics shop cut and drilled the new acrylic using my old lenses as patterns. They strongly recommended it, and I have no experience cutting plastic.
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Bob Robertson
Member III
Hi,
I watched the video. Very helpful. Thank you.
Below the video was a comment. (See below)
I was very impressed by the amount Santa Monica Plastics charged ($80) for the lens replacement compared to Select Plastics ($450).
Does anybody have experience working with Santa Monica Plastics?
Thanks!
Bob
[h=1]Lewmar Hatch Lens Replacement[/h]from Christian Williams Plus<TIME class=inlineimg title="Friday, December 14, 2012 4:59 PM" data-title="Friday, December 14, 2012 4:59 PM" data-timeago="2 days ago" datetime="2012-12-14T16:59:00-05:00">2 days ago</TIME> / <DL class="cc_list sm"><DT>Creative Commons License:<DD class=by>by</DD></DL>
</HEADER>Lens removal and replacement, 1985-era "Superhatch". The job is tedious but not challenging. The quote for lens replacement (only) from Select Plastics, the Connecticut hatch repair specialists, was $450 each, exclusive of shipping or tax. A local shop, Santa Monica (CA) Plastics, successor to Hastings Plastics, charged $80 per hatch for matching acrylic and to cut and drill to the pattern of the old lenses.
I watched the video. Very helpful. Thank you.
Below the video was a comment. (See below)
I was very impressed by the amount Santa Monica Plastics charged ($80) for the lens replacement compared to Select Plastics ($450).
Does anybody have experience working with Santa Monica Plastics?
Thanks!
Bob
[h=1]Lewmar Hatch Lens Replacement[/h]from Christian Williams Plus<TIME class=inlineimg title="Friday, December 14, 2012 4:59 PM" data-title="Friday, December 14, 2012 4:59 PM" data-timeago="2 days ago" datetime="2012-12-14T16:59:00-05:00">2 days ago</TIME> / <DL class="cc_list sm"><DT>Creative Commons License:<DD class=by>by</DD></DL>
</HEADER>Lens removal and replacement, 1985-era "Superhatch". The job is tedious but not challenging. The quote for lens replacement (only) from Select Plastics, the Connecticut hatch repair specialists, was $450 each, exclusive of shipping or tax. A local shop, Santa Monica (CA) Plastics, successor to Hastings Plastics, charged $80 per hatch for matching acrylic and to cut and drill to the pattern of the old lenses.
I should add that Santa Monica Plastics is currently a shoestring operation in an open garage in an industrial park on Colorado Ave. in Santa Monica. The boss sits in an overcoat behind a slab desk with the overhead door open. Their main business is the construction of vitrines, those clear plastic enclosures for art works, so you stand in line in the mud with artists, gallery employes, and people with leaking tropical fish tanks. Parking is nonexistant, so you move your car twice while waiting. A great place!
These guys, I think, are trying to keep their former shop going--it was displaced by new light-rail line copnstruction. They don't seem set up for Internet business at the moment (I told them about Select Plastics' biz model and pricing and the number of boats in southern California, but no light bulb went off). Anyway, any local plastics shop can cut and drill hatch acrylic. But my guys wouldn't even discuss removing the old lenses from the frames....
These guys, I think, are trying to keep their former shop going--it was displaced by new light-rail line copnstruction. They don't seem set up for Internet business at the moment (I told them about Select Plastics' biz model and pricing and the number of boats in southern California, but no light bulb went off). Anyway, any local plastics shop can cut and drill hatch acrylic. But my guys wouldn't even discuss removing the old lenses from the frames....
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Replacement hatch lid nuts
One hatch reuses the old funky nuts. The other hatch uses hardware-store ss washers and nylon lock nuts--standard or acorns. I decided on acorns for all.
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One hatch reuses the old funky nuts. The other hatch uses hardware-store ss washers and nylon lock nuts--standard or acorns. I decided on acorns for all.
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