sliding hatch for a 73 V20

franco477

franco477

Member
Hi Everybody,

I took my V20 to a local plastics company today to get a quote on fabrication of a new hatch. The guy has had experience making plastic parts for boats. He took the measurements and said he would use 1/4" plexiglass to make the hatch. This didn't really thrill me but beggars can't be choosy. He said it would take about a day to make and he would have to have the boat to make sure that he did the bends and slope correctly. Said it would cost me about $250. Would rahter have it made from thicker material but is worth considering. I will let you know how it turns out and post pictures.
 
I have some questions before he starts, He asked if I wanted it to be smoked plexigplas I told him that I prefered white to match the boat. I might just take a sheet of 3/8 starboard to him and ask if he can use it instead.
 
Agreeing with Skools, plexiglass is going to be a problem even dangerious. In cooler temperatures it will be like glass,break and cut like glass.
Lexan will cost probably the same as Starboard.
 
Yes Starboard would be much better!! and if he can bend Plexi he can bend starboard!

$250??

I never can remeber all the threads here or who made them, but long before I would spend that coin I would go with the Canvas cover some one here just showed us!!
 
I guess I have to get brave enough to try to make my own out of starboard. Just afraid of really screwing it up and being out the money. NOt like I haven't thrown money away on other silly things. :)
 
Just out of curiousity how thick are the hatch covers? I want something heavyduty enough where if my chunky butt sits on it or steps on it it won't break.
 
I'm REEL accustomed to NOT puttin' my chunky butt on it, but If I's gonna make one SURE to stand up to walkin'/sittin' for one large as me, it'd be of 3/4 S'board...which wouldn't be a bad idea ... it'll be a trick makin' it slide under the windshield like the original, but I think it can be done ... never tried it...might work perfect ??? ...
 
IT's not really me that I'm worried about. I have a teenager who isn't always so condierate of other peoples property and a clutsy wife. So I figure if I make to with stand my weight than nothing else will hurt it. I think that 3/8 is about as thick as you can go w=under the windshield.
 
Franco47 said:
IT's not really me that I'm worried about. I have a teenager who isn't always so condierate of other peoples property and a clutsy wife. So I figure if I make to with stand my weight than nothing else will hurt it. I think that 3/8 is about as thick as you can go w=under the windshield.
Click to expand...


If 3/8" is all that'll go under the windshield, I'd start with 3/4" and router a lip to go under ... you've gotten me to thinking it would be nice to have a lid stout enough not to worry about ... and 1/2" S'board would be borderline IMO ...
 
I have already experimented with plywood. Haven't reached the point where I would glass it over, but I am getting closer. If I ever get to that point I will post pictures of the finished product.
 
I just picked up a spare hatch with a boat attached to it. It is a 74 model boat. My neighbor makes boats and I will go talk to him and see how much it would take to make a hatch or a mold for a hatch. I still need another hatch for my other 73. If there is anybody else that needs a hatch for that year model boat we could split the cost for a mold.
 
Axe,

I have a 73 also, let me know what the cost would be. If its not excessive I would be interested. How soon can you find out?
 
I know what you are saying about working nights. I've been doing it for over the past year, its getting to suck! :-[
 
Im on my seven days off but working 2 nights of OT. I work the 12hr DuPont schedule no more than 4 days or nights in a row. I rather work nights since I go to sleep right when I go home but when I work days I stay up until 10 or 11 o'clock and have to wake up at 3:45 a.m. I'll let you know what I find out about the hatch.
 
I have been working the grave yard shift for 23 years!!

I love it, but you have to be a special person to do it ;D

Really I am a naper, I never sleep more then 3 to 4 hours in a row, I can nap 3 hours of my 10 hour shift easy, I stay awake to go fishing and then nap before i go to work.

threw the years it has been great cause I could take ther kids all over and fish, and camp do what ever cause I am free all day, Truck need fix, doc appointments all easy as there is no work to play with.

And you guys already know how special I am!! ;) ;D
 
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