Bomar Hatch Lens Replacement

[AiniA]

I had the same hatches on my Bristol and went through two cycles of replacement. I did a couple with Lexan and Dow 795, but the Lexan does scratch very easily. Later, I replaced all of the hatch plastic and ports and went with slightly upsized acrylic. A local plastic shop cuts them to size, not including the rounded corners. You can cut these with a router with a straight bit and a bearing (commonly available). You use double-sided tape to attach the old and new plastic and adjust so the bearing rides on the old plastic. Cuts accurately and quickly.

I attached the plastic to the frames using 3M VHB tape. This stuff is available in many widths, thicknesses, and colours. Not cheap but one roll will be more than enough. I used a dark grey tape that worked with the acrylic but black would be fine. No mess, no fuss. You are left with a tiny gap around the edges of the plastic that I filled with some goop - forget which one now. The result was a very professional job that was easier and faster than using 795 or similar. The acrylic stands up much better than lexan and with those aluminum cross braces it is strong like bull.

[Exile]

Originally Posted by AiniA

I had the same hatches on my Bristol and went through two cycles of replacement. I did a couple with Lexan and Dow 795, but the Lexan does scratch very easily. Later, I replaced all of the hatch plastic and ports and went with slightly upsized acrylic. A local plastic shop cuts them to size, not including the rounded corners. You can cut these with a router with a straight bit and a bearing (commonly available). You use double-sided tape to attach the old and new plastic and adjust so the bearing rides on the old plastic. Cuts accurately and quickly.

I attached the plastic to the frames using 3M VHB tape. This stuff is available in many widths, thicknesses, and colours. Not cheap but one roll will be more than enough. I used a dark grey tape that worked with the acrylic but black would be fine. No mess, no fuss. You are left with a tiny gap around the edges of the plastic that I filled with some goop - forget which one now. The result was a very professional job that was easier and faster than using 795 or similar. The acrylic stands up much better than lexan and with those aluminum cross braces it is strong like bull.

Helpful info re: the process using the 3M tape, and I'm sure acrylic would also work just fine for the hatches. Lexan not only scratches easier as you say, but is also more expensive.

One question re: your Bristol: Did you have any of the opening port lights, or were they all fixed? I ask because I have the opening ones (Bomar) and was wondering if I can replace the lenses in place or whether I need to remove the (spring-loaded) opening frames. Thanks.

[Davidhoy]

Originally Posted by Orion Jim

Lexan is the lens material and Dow-Corning 795 is the sealant.

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This!

Done this to three hatches on my old Morgan 462, almost identical hatches to yours. Really pretty easy, just remove the old lens carefully so you can use it as a template, get some new lenses made using that template, clean all the old adhesive, and then attach using DC 795. There are lots of examples on the Internet of how to do this.

[Singularity]

Bears extrapolating the polycarbonate/lexan vs acrylic (typically cast) debate.

In this application most seem to prefer cast acrylic owing to it's lesser propensity to scratch. The other properties of polycarbonate seem to not be a real-world advantage in this application (i.e. if people do break their acrylic lenses it seems like they keep it to themselves).

Incidentally, consider tracing a lens, once removed, on a substrate that's easy to stow to keep the pattern available, just in case.

[TheoWjr]

I've also done several Bomar and Lewmar hatches. As long as all goes well it's pretty straight forward as mentioned. But some corrosion can make things go sideways. I'm also a very happy customer of hatchmasters they have provided me with great service, good parts and plenty of advice. No connection other than a very happy customer. I recently did 5 hatches myself and am considering sending them some opening ports.

[dennismenace111]

There is a guy in ft. Lauderdale who will replace your lens for around $100.00. you can ship it to him snd he will replace the lens and ship them back to you.

Cesany Plastics
954 568-2002

[AiniA]

Originally Posted by Exile

Helpful info re: the process using the 3M tape, and I'm sure acrylic would also work just fine for the hatches. Lexan not only scratches easier as you say, but is also more expensive.

One question re: your Bristol: Did you have any of the opening port lights, or were they all fixed? I ask because I have the opening ones (Bomar) and was wondering if I can replace the lenses in place or whether I need to remove the (spring-loaded) opening frames. Thanks.

We had quite a few opening ports and did replace them in place. The tape makes live much easier since you don't have to worry about spreading black good everywhere - ask me how I know. I can't remember what width VHB tape I used but you can get one that is right for the fitting.

[sailstax]

I have 4 bomar 100 series cast hatches on my 1985 Kadey-Krogen 38 Cutter. All were in bad shape and needed new paint and new lenses. After blasting and powder coating for about $250, I sent them to Hatchmasters for new lenses, gaskets, etc. They did a great job for much less that the cost of new hatches and provided a guarantee against leakage.

I highly recommend them. Any questions, just call them. Tony is a no BS guy.

[Exile]

Originally Posted by AiniA

We had quite a few opening ports and did replace them in place. The tape makes live much easier since you don't have to worry about spreading black good everywhere - ask me how I know. I can't remember what width VHB tape I used but you can get one that is right for the fitting.

Thanks. Good to know. Removing the opening frames "looks" pretty straightforward, and they would certainly be easier to work with once removed, but there are heavy springs & pins involved so I'm not sure how easily they may reinstall. I'll also look into the tape you recommend.

[tekdiver]

Wow once again not my question but wow did I need the info have three hatches to do.
Thanks for all the help guys and gals

[Smooth Move]

Excuuuse me! My Bomar lasted over 30 years even though “ inferior”

[NSboatman]

all great info - thanks so much all of you. what a great resource this forum is!


I'll report back how it went once I've done the job...

[CarlF]

Call Hatchmasters. They've done thousands. Not much more expensive than doing it yourself but it gets done right the first time.

https://hatchmasters.com

Also, their views on Acrylic vs Polycarbonate (Lexan)

https://hatchmasters.com/tonys-blog/

[NSboatman]

If i was in the US, I probably would call Hatchmasters... god knows I've got enoguh other work to do, and I like handing things off to specialists who stand behind their work.



but, I'm in Canadiana, the great white frozen north. Despite what they would have you believe, free trade is but a distant and evasive notion. Still. Shipping, Duty and Taxes (not to mind the 30% currency hit) all but eliminate this option I think... unless i get in my truck and drive them there and then pick them up again. which ain't happening - as much as I love the NE US, and could do with a skiing holiday in Maine!!


nope, the input here and associated links have given me much confidence that this is well within my skillset, and as we say around here- I'm gonna giv'er 'ell.


soon. i think...

[pcmm]

Originally Posted by NSboatman

If i was in the US, I probably would call Hatchmasters... god knows I've got enoguh other work to do, and I like handing things off to specialists who stand behind their work.



but, I'm in Canadiana, the great white frozen north. Despite what they would have you believe, free trade is but a distant and evasive notion. Still. Shipping, Duty and Taxes (not to mind the 30% currency hit) all but eliminate this option I think... unless i get in my truck and drive them there and then pick them up again. which ain't happening - as much as I love the NE US, and could do with a skiing holiday in Maine!!


nope, the input here and associated links have given me much confidence that this is well within my skillset, and as we say around here- I'm gonna giv'er 'ell.


soon. i think...

There is no duty on American goods coming into canada. I order online all the time from US suppliers and only once paid duty ( the company listed the source country on the item that was outside of North America) not sure these days with USMCA