skylite replacement
- Ixneigh
- Admiral
- Posts: 2225
- Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2010 11:00 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Key largo Florida
skylite replacement
My plexiglass skylites in my M are crazing due to sun. Do people bother to replace these, and with what?
Ix
Ix
- Steve K
- Captain
- Posts: 703
- Joined: Fri Jan 09, 2004 7:35 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26D
- Location: So. Cal. desert
Re: skylite replacement
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.
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.
- Russ
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Re: skylite replacement
Really? They used plexiglass? No wonder it doesn't hold up.Steve K wrote:The factory used this:
PLEXIGLASS - 1/4" BRONZE 2370
I would replace it with a polycarbonate product like Lexan. MUCH stronger.
--Russ
- fishheadbarandgrill
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- Steve K
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Re: skylite replacement
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
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
SK
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
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
SK
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- Captain
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Re: skylite replacement
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!!
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!!
- Steve K
- Captain
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- Joined: Fri Jan 09, 2004 7:35 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26D
- Location: So. Cal. desert
Re: skylite replacement
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.fishheadbarandgrill wrote:
There's some detailed beveling on the OEM skylights.
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
- Ixneigh
- Admiral
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- Location: Key largo Florida
Re: skylite replacement
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... Thanks
Ix
Ix
- kadet
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Re: skylite replacement
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 wellfishheadbarandgrill wrote:There's some detailed beveling on the OEM skylights.
- 1-Tntimbo
- Engineer
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- Location: Germantown TN
Re: skylite replacement
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
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
- RobertB
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Re: skylite replacement
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.
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.
- seahouse
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Re: skylite replacement
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 .
Having said that; is there anyone out there that has broken a window in their Mac?
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 .
Having said that; is there anyone out there that has broken a window in their Mac?
- mastreb
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Re: skylite replacement
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.
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.