skylite replacement

A forum for discussing topics relating to MacGregor Powersailor Sailboats
User avatar
Ixneigh
Admiral
Posts: 2225
Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2010 11:00 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Key largo Florida

skylite replacement

Post by Ixneigh »

My plexiglass skylites in my M are crazing due to sun. Do people bother to replace these, and with what?
Ix
User avatar
RobertB
Admiral
Posts: 1863
Joined: Sun Jun 05, 2011 7:42 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Clarksville, MD

Re: skylite replacement

Post by RobertB »

Replace with new ones :wink:
User avatar
Steve K
Captain
Posts: 703
Joined: Fri Jan 09, 2004 7:35 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26D
Location: So. Cal. desert

Re: skylite replacement

Post by Steve K »

The factory used this:

PLEXIGLASS - 1/4" BRONZE 2370

You should be able to find this, readily, on the web or at your local plastics shop.
It is a fairly common acrylic.

If you have a local plastics shop (or even many glass shops) they will cut it for you, if you provide a pattern or bring in the old ones.
It's not really difficult to cut yourself, but does take some know how. (search, "how to cut pexiglass" on the web, plenty of info out there).

Best Breezes,
Steve K.
User avatar
Russ
Admiral
Posts: 7543
Joined: Thu Oct 11, 2007 12:01 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Bozeman, Montana "Luna Azul" 2008 M 70hp Suzi

Re: skylite replacement

Post by Russ »

Steve K wrote:The factory used this:

PLEXIGLASS - 1/4" BRONZE 2370
Really? They used plexiglass? No wonder it doesn't hold up.

I would replace it with a polycarbonate product like Lexan. MUCH stronger.

--Russ
User avatar
fishheadbarandgrill
Captain
Posts: 501
Joined: Fri Apr 23, 2010 6:08 pm
Sailboat: Other
Location: Isle Of Palms, SC - 2000 Catalina 380 "Interlude"

Re: skylite replacement

Post by fishheadbarandgrill »

There's some detailed beveling on the OEM skylights.
User avatar
Steve K
Captain
Posts: 703
Joined: Fri Jan 09, 2004 7:35 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26D
Location: So. Cal. desert

Re: skylite replacement

Post by Steve K »

Russ,

Right from the web site........ almost 12,000 square feet per year.

http://www.macgregor26.com/suppliers_co ... ty_rr.html

Mac Gregor part number 828

Really?........ you didn't think Roger would use something as expensive as Lexan :wink:
Actually, Acrylic is not terrible. WWII fighter plane builders used it for canopies (was actually invented for that).

If Roger used Lexan, it would be the only bullet proof part on the boat :D

:wink:
SK
Wayne nicol
Captain
Posts: 645
Joined: Thu Feb 14, 2013 9:21 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Queen CHarlotte Islands,B.C.---------------- lightning white 2012 26M "Merrylegs"

Re: skylite replacement

Post by Wayne nicol »

aint that the truth.
i love my boat- but just starting to get a little tired of all the cheapies and the shortcuts taken, that i keep coming across!! :(
User avatar
Steve K
Captain
Posts: 703
Joined: Fri Jan 09, 2004 7:35 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26D
Location: So. Cal. desert

Re: skylite replacement

Post by Steve K »

fishheadbarandgrill wrote:
There's some detailed beveling on the OEM skylights.
This is also possible for the home hobbyist / d-i-y-er. Edges can be beveled and polished. Or if you're really knowledgeable with a torch, edges can be flame polished. The look is about the same, but wet sanding and hand polishing the edges is more work.

I'm tired.... yet my 26D needs new windows (again, long story). So I'm just going to spring for another set from Rudder-Craft and save some labor. I don't know if they sell them for newer Macs though.

SK
User avatar
Ixneigh
Admiral
Posts: 2225
Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2010 11:00 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Key largo Florida

Re: skylite replacement

Post by Ixneigh »

will the tattoo plastic fit the M? They arent that far from me, shipping would be reasonable. Are the ones on there now just screwed on with sealant? Do they come off easily or in pieces... :P Thanks
Ix
User avatar
Hamin' X
Site Admin
Posts: 3449
Joined: Sat Aug 27, 2005 6:02 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Hermiston, OR-----------2001 26X DF-50 Suz---------------(Now Sold)
Contact:

Re: skylite replacement

Post by Hamin' X »

Try Blue Water Yachts.
User avatar
kadet
Admiral
Posts: 1030
Joined: Tue Oct 02, 2007 6:51 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Brisbane, Australia. 2008M "Wicked Wave" Yamaha T60

Re: skylite replacement

Post by kadet »

fishheadbarandgrill wrote:There's some detailed beveling on the OEM skylights.
Not if they are like the side windows, I removed and resealed mine because of a leak, the bevels on them looked like they were done by hand with an angle grinder pretty rough but at least they grip the Silaflex well :)
User avatar
1-Tntimbo
Engineer
Posts: 133
Joined: Sun Jul 21, 2013 9:19 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Germantown TN

Re: skylite replacement

Post by 1-Tntimbo »

There are several plastic polishes for removing scratches and weather related damage to Plexiglas. We use them all the time for motorcycle windshields. Maguire's makes a kit that comes with a buffing pad for use with a drill motor,

They have commercials all the time for restoring head lights on cars. Basically the sam stuff. Cheap! Used it on my X, seems to work great.
T
User avatar
RobertB
Admiral
Posts: 1863
Joined: Sun Jun 05, 2011 7:42 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Clarksville, MD

Re: skylite replacement

Post by RobertB »

Polycarbonate/Lexan is tough but tends to yellow - thus not usually used where optical properties are important. Thus the need to polish plastic headlight lenses- I believe acrylic is the usual here.

When you use the aftermarket polishes, really no need to spend much - just need wet sand paper and polishing compound, but they tend to haze up quickly. I just did this to a car, again, but with an extra step I learned recently. After polishing, spray with an automotive clear coat paint. This will protect the plastic. Now, will this work on our window? I may tend to just try to replace.
User avatar
seahouse
Admiral
Posts: 2182
Joined: Sun Dec 07, 2008 9:17 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Niagara at Lake Erie, Ontario. 2011 MacM, 60 hp E-Tec
Contact:

Re: skylite replacement

Post by seahouse »

My opinion too, RobertB – acrylic is a perfectly appropriate, and possibly superior, choice of material for the application.

Anyone wanting the added feeling of security that increased window thickness would bring them could easily have it with a little extra time and money.

-Brian :wink: .

Having said that; is there anyone out there that has broken a window in their Mac? :?: 8)
User avatar
mastreb
Admiral
Posts: 3927
Joined: Wed Feb 09, 2011 9:00 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Cardiff by the Sea, CA ETEC-60 "Luna Sea"
Contact:

Re: skylite replacement

Post by mastreb »

So to take this in an entirely different and kooky direction, what do you think about replacing the port "skylite" with a "Bubble Canopy" (a hemispherical dome) one could use as a 360 viewport?

This would be part of my future scheme to use a p70r control head mounted nearby to "power steer" my autopilot and some as-yet-un-hacked-up throttle-by-wire mechanism so that I can safely pilot inside the boat during inclement weather.

I'd want it to be replaceable with a flat window, also through some as yet hacked up means, so that it wouldn't have to look silly all the time.
Post Reply