On Sun, 24 Oct 2004 16:24:25 -0400, Jude Douglas
wrote:

I sure hope I don’t get a war of words going, but I would like get some
recommendations on which sheet material to use for our sliding main
hatch: polyacrylate (Plexiglas, Lucite, Acrylite, Perspex, etc.) or
polycarbonate (Lexan). I know Lexan scratches easily but it is very
impact resistant (falling winch handles or a whipping snap shackle). I
know Plexiglas is a bit cheaper than Lexan but it is not a concern for
such a small size of project. To reduce temperature expansion stresses
and drilling difficulties, I plan to just use a flat sheet with a
squishy bedding (silicone?) and a sort-of loose oak frame with a
retaining bracket.
Can anyone offer some suggestions as to which is a better choice
material?

I would go with the polycarbonate.

I helped a friend last year with a Post restoration and the rear salon
hatch way was rebuilt with marine plywood sprayed with white epoxy.
He used 9034 version which is a abrasion coated Lexan. He also had
the Lexan tinted.

He basically built a frame, set the Lexan into it with plain old clear
RTV, built an over frame for the window and painted it.

Looks like a factory made fiberglass door - no joke.

And to date, I haven't seen any scratches.

Later,

Tom
-----------
"Angling may be said to be so
like the mathematics that it
can never be fully learnt..."

Izaak Walton "The Compleat Angler", 1653