houdini hatch covers

[smokeyfruitbat]

I have two houdini hatches on my boat, which as you all probably know attract alot of condensation, and after spells of hot and cold weather tend to leak a little. After years of taking apart and resealing I came up with the idea of having some covers made out of polycarb. These sit over the existing hatch and are held in place by locking pins. The hatches still open and of course still let all the light in. In the winter I put some bubble wrap inbetween the hatch and the cover and have had no condensation this year, and the light is still there.

Polycarb as I've been informed is a difficult substance to glue. I used a silone type glue at first but it came apart after a week or so, then I tried different glues with the same results.

Anyway I've found a company that will make them out of 6mm polycarb (with welded joints) cheaper than it was to buy a sheet of the stuff to do myself.

The company is Plasbrun in Cannock 01543 462802. (I did the locking pins myself.)

I hope this is of use to someone

[pearley]

I double glazed mine. Seems much easier than any otherway.

[Keeping Up]

I use twin-wall polycarb (like conservatory roofs). Easily cut with a sharp knife, even round the corners, and very very light. A strip of black tape all round the edge made it look good and sealed the ends of the "tubes", and a few dabs of Evo-stick glued it straight to the opening window frame. Result - triple glazed effect. plenty of diffused light, and easy to remove if I want to.