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Mfuller
121 Posts |
 Posted - 03 Jun 2016 : 13:13:58
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Hey Folks,
So, my boat is currently out of the water getting some TLC. One of the jobs I'd like to do is replace the perspex windscreen as it's scratched to bits.
I've taken it off and took it down the local glass shop. They've come back that they can't replace the perspex with glass because of the cover clips that go through the perspex.
My first idea was to move the clips to the aluminium frame, like they are in the sides, but the glass company thinks there won't be enough room. Not sure that's true because they do go through the frame on the sides, but hell, I'm no expert. I'd also be worried this would cause the canopy to no longer fit correctly.
The other option is to just replace with fresh perspex, but that rules out ever being able to fit windscreen wipers and has the potential to get scratched again.
I note with interest that the side windows are glass!
So, my question. What do others do with their Normans?
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Edited by - Mfuller on 03 Jun 2016 13:27:24 |
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cliveshep
Thailand
1324 Posts |
Posted - 03 Jun 2016 : 14:33:57
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Replace with polycarbonate which while more expensive than acrylic (Perspex) is at least harder-wearing and forget the wiper altogether.
I had one Dutch North sea steel ex fisher boat that had a wiper - it was useless and leaked and discarded was not missed. None of my other boats had wipers and I never bothered to fit them. Even at sea in a blow it was impossible to miss the No Entry signs, pedestrian crossings and traffic lights! I never went the wrong way up a one-way system because I couldn't see!
You are presumably on a canal or river, not the M1, rain will run down and off leaving always enough vision at slow speeds to navigate safely. Wipers are a bling thing, the only type of any value are Kent clear-view and they won't fit on a Norman screen but you aren't crossing the channel in a storm either are you?
Seriously and all joking aside - don't bother!
Simply wipe the windows with a wetting agent, soapy water for example, and the plastic will get uniformly wet so you can still see.
Finally living the dream!
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Mfuller
121 Posts |
Posted - 03 Jun 2016 : 15:19:32
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OK, sounds like a plan. Maybe I'll try rainx on a new window should make a good difference.
What do you think about the canopy clips? Do other people have them mounted on the frame, rather than the glass/perspex? |
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cliveshep
Thailand
1324 Posts |
Posted - 04 Jun 2016 : 00:55:36
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The "lift the dot" pillars were screwed through the ali frame on the original build.
Finally living the dream!
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Mfuller
121 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jun 2016 : 09:04:51
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Right, that makes sense. I thought it was weird that mine were in the perspex. The aluminium frame doesn't have any studs in it, or holes so I am guessing replaced at some point and for what ever reason they decided to put them in the perspex.. Weird :)
I've told the glass company to put glass in, and I'll get some lift the dot studs.
Cheers!
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cliveshep
Thailand
1324 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jun 2016 : 13:07:52
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I showed the wood-screw type for illustration but they also do machine-screw type with nuts - assuming you can get the correct length they are the ones you really need.
Finally living the dream!
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Mfuller
121 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jun 2016 : 13:17:38
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| Yup, just ordered 8 from Snuggtopz :) |
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Mfuller
121 Posts |
Posted - 10 Jun 2016 : 08:39:07
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Annoyingly the lift the dot bolt type are too short to go all the way through the aluminium frame. Grrrrrr
So, I've had to improvise.. It's not tidy, but seems to work so far :( |
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cliveshep
Thailand
1324 Posts |
Posted - 11 Jun 2016 : 15:03:30
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Tap a thread?
Finally living the dream!
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Mfuller
121 Posts |
Posted - 13 Jun 2016 : 09:29:35
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That was one of my options, but I couldn't find an M3 tap with the right thread. I had to get the window back to the glaziers on Saturday so just ended up using bolts and a countersink to get them in. It's not pretty (at least when looking in the frame channel, but it works :)
I'm be happy to get this damn boat back in the water! |
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Windscreen
