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Author Topic: Where can I get a 245 cabin hatch?  (Read 472 times)

December 07, 2014, 09:21:48 PM
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jburt1991

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Where can I get a 245 cabin hatch?
« on: December 07, 2014, 09:21:48 PM »
I need another cabin replacement hatch.  Any ideas on substitute material?

Thanks,
John

December 08, 2014, 01:09:23 AM
Reply #1

wingtime

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Re: Where can I get a 245 cabin hatch?
« Reply #1 on: December 08, 2014, 01:09:23 AM »
I assume your talking about the smoked acrylic hatch on a 245 Explorer. No known suppliers have them, I don't think Marine Connection has them either. Your best bet is finding a local plastics guy that can fabricate a replacement.
1998 Explorer w/ Etec 250


1987 170 w/ Evinrude 90

December 08, 2014, 10:16:30 AM
Reply #2

jburt1991

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Re: Where can I get a 245 cabin hatch?
« Reply #2 on: December 08, 2014, 10:16:30 AM »
Thanks wingtime.  I'll if I can find a local fabricator.

December 15, 2014, 01:04:18 AM
Reply #3

flycaster1

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Re: Where can I get a 245 cabin hatch?
« Reply #3 on: December 15, 2014, 01:04:18 AM »
Just prior to me buying my craft the previous owner replaced it with a custom made unit from a local plastic / plexiglas shop.
The biggest problem is drilling the holes.
They have to be done extremely carefully with drill bits progressively getting larger one bit at a time.
Good luck.

December 15, 2014, 08:45:22 AM
Reply #4

numlaar

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Re: Where can I get a 245 cabin hatch?
« Reply #4 on: December 15, 2014, 08:45:22 AM »
Quote from: "flycaster1"
Just prior to me buying my craft the previous owner replaced it with a custom made unit from a local plastic / plexiglas shop.
The biggest problem is drilling the holes.
They have to be done extremely carefully with drill bits progressively getting larger one bit at a time.
Good luck.

I previously worked at an acrylic/plexi shop. You can drill them, but just need to buy a special "plastic" drill bit. It has a different cone shape to the point, that is specifically made to drill plastic(plexi), and prevent it from cracking.

Sadly, I can't remember where we got them, was like 15 years ago, but if I do, I will add it to the post.

Another trick to help is to put a piece of blue painters tape over where you are going to drill the hole. It helps prevent walking on the initial start, and also helps to prevent cracking.

hope that info helps!

December 15, 2014, 09:00:52 AM
Reply #5

seabob4

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Re: Where can I get a 245 cabin hatch?
« Reply #5 on: December 15, 2014, 09:00:52 AM »
We used to use tapered drill bits at Wellcraft for drilling plexi, but I have used standard bits many times, you just have to go slow with the drill RPMs...


Corner of 520 and A1A...

December 15, 2014, 11:56:11 AM
Reply #6

wingtime

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Re: Where can I get a 245 cabin hatch?
« Reply #6 on: December 15, 2014, 11:56:11 AM »
Ditto on the special bits.  I have some for drilling aircraft windows....  nothing like the horror of seeing a crack in a VERY expensive acrylic window!  regular fluted drills are designed to pull themselves into the material.  You don't want that when drilling acrylic.  The next critical step is edge finishing.  You have to deburr or chamfer the edges of the hole.  The smoother the edges of the hole the better.  Any scratches or chips will cause stress risers leading to cracks.

Here is a link on some tips:

http://www.plasticsmag.com/features.asp?fIssue=Sep/Oct-01
1998 Explorer w/ Etec 250


1987 170 w/ Evinrude 90

December 15, 2014, 04:56:06 PM
Reply #7

GoneFission

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Re: Where can I get a 245 cabin hatch?
« Reply #7 on: December 15, 2014, 04:56:06 PM »
Roger on drilling plastics - you can do it with a regular bit - if you are careful - but there are special bits made for plastics:  https://www.onsrud.com/xdoc/Plastic-Drilling-Tools
Cap'n John
1980 22-2 CCP
Mercury 200 Optimax 
ASPA0345M80I
"Gone Fission"
ClassicAquasport Member #209


December 17, 2014, 10:24:27 PM
Reply #8

flycaster1

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Re: Where can I get a 245 cabin hatch?
« Reply #8 on: December 17, 2014, 10:24:27 PM »
Quote from: "numlaar"
Quote from: "flycaster1"
Just prior to me buying my craft the previous owner replaced it with a custom made unit from a local plastic / plexiglas shop.
The biggest problem is drilling the holes.
They have to be done extremely carefully with drill bits progressively getting larger one bit at a time.
Good luck.

I previously worked at an acrylic/plexi shop. You can drill them, but just need to buy a special "plastic" drill bit. It has a different cone shape to the point, that is specifically made to drill plastic(plexi), and prevent it from cracking.

Sadly, I can't remember where we got them, was like 15 years ago, but if I do, I will add it to the post.

Another trick to help is to put a piece of blue painters tape over where you are going to drill the hole. It helps prevent walking on the initial start, and also helps to prevent cracking.

hope that info helps!

Or you can take the hole up one drill size at a time. Unless you have a ton of holes to drill stepping is slow but works fine.

 


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