Forward Hatch

[WAArete]

Today I stopped by to measure my hatch. According to the various dimensions at Lewmar this size does not seem to be standard today. Has anyone experience with such.
My model is 2003- 36. Thanks.

[Salty]

Today I stopped by to measure my hatch. According to the various dimensions at Lewmar this size does not seem to be standard today. Has anyone experience with such.
My model is 2003- 36. Thanks.

Yes, if you go to Modifications and Equipment and look under “Crazed Portlights and Hatches” or click on the following link, http://bavariayacht.org/forum/index.php/topic,2161.0.html it should hopefully take you to an article I wrote earlier this year.

You didn’t say why you measured up your hatch, so I’m guessing you want to replace it because there is some problem. Direct replacements are available from Lewmar, but not every stockist carries the sizes that Bavaria used. Look closely at the hatches and portlights you have on your boat and, if they are still the originals that Bavaria fitted, they will have a model number moulded into the acrylic which should help you to find replacements that you can then fit yourself.

Replacement acrylics or complete hatches including the aluminium framework are available, and you could contact Lewmar to ask them who is your nearest stockist.

Assuming you just want to replace the acrylic but don’t want to pay more than you need to, it is possible that one of your local specialist plastics firms could take your original acrylic once you have separated it from its aluminium frame, and cut a new replacement from a sheet of suitable thickness acrylic for you to re-fit yourself.

[WAArete]

Yep, just read your page and its additional comments. We have a local company which sells replacements. And, by the numbers "x""y" "z" nothing falls in line. I've gone through this before with a DuFour. For that I needed  to get a custom glass. Quite pricey.
 As for a stamp, no such ID to help. Water is seeping through the seal. If I roll it down I can see moisture. Thus, saving me the painstaking job of removing the hatch from the deck.
I suspect a 3rd party is in the middle buying Lewmar hinges and hardware just to frustrate us....

[Brian]

Try contacting ocean chandlery, https://www.oceanchandlery.com/
I purchased my hatch from them this year.

[Spirit of Mary]

Bavaria does not use the standard sizes of Lewmar I was told some years ago by Lewmar on the Dusseldorf boat fair. On my boat, A BAV 38 2003 the Forward hatch was turned 180 degr. because of safety (RYA requirement) and at the same time replaced by a standard Lewmar size. I now have 2 different sizes (forward and saloon). So by ordering parts give measurements and mention "for Bavaria".

[WAArete]

Spirit,
 I just got off the phone, with tech service rep at Lewmar. He says, I have size 60 given my measurements. (only because it's closest to the measurements I sent) But, I'm inclined to agree with your findings. I'm tempted to just replace the gasket and see if this resolves my present issue and delay glass for the moment.

[Salty]

If you measure across the outside of the acrylic from the inside edge of the metal frame on one side to the inside edge of the frame opposite, if you have a Bavaria/Lewmar standard hatch for that year, your measurement should be 500mm x 500mm for length and width. If yours is exactly that size, then the Lewmar part number will be A300819002582 (not too sure if that last 8 is a 6 or a G).
Ocean Chandlery in the UK are advertising replacement acrylic for their Bavaria Large hatch which corresponds to the one I’ve referred to above and their article number is 361248990 which further confuses the matter. However if you buy from them, you will get a new replacement seal rubber included, but you have to re-use your existing handles and hinges. (Note, don’t get confused in regard to the catches and hinges used on the portlights where those are glued on).

In the USA there are yacht chandlers who do sell Bavaria sized Lewmar hatch and portlight acrylics, because I did check them out before writing the article referred to in my earlier posting, but unfortunately I didn’t make a note of who they were. Sorry, to those of you on that side of the pond, but you’ll have to do that research yourselves. The Lewmar replacements were significantly cheaper in the USA than they are over here where a hatch replacement acrylic is currently for sale at around £206, and then there would be postage and import taxes, though you might be able to buy it without paying our 20% VAT.

Using your existing hatch acrylic as a template I’m sure you could at least halve that price by taking it to a plastics manufacturing firm as I did. But you would have to cover the gaping hole in your cabin top while they made it !!

[WAArete]

Salty,
 You continue to be very helpful. If I convert my 19-3/4" I do 500 millimeters. Leaving me with just uncertainty, is the profile low or medium. I suspect the later.

[WAArete]

I found a dealer in the states. Mauri Pro Sailing, offers the Lewmar/Bavaria Large 30081900 lid for $212.00 free shipping as part of a Black November special knocking off $88.00.
 But, no specs given and who's excited about spending $200 when so little information is provided.
 Cheers

[Spirit of Mary]

I only have the outside dimensions of the moveble part of both hatches. The saloon hatch (Bavaria size) is 560 x 560 mm. The forward (standard Lewmar) is 580 x 580 mm. I have these dimensions because I have to make a new cover for UV protection . Without this cover the life was 5 years till heavy craquelee. Now with covers already 8 years without any craquelee. The small hatches are halve the (Bavaria) size, 280 x 560 mm. The height above deck is approx 25 - 30 mm. Maybe these sizes helps to find the right one.

[WAArete]

 Thanks, it has occurred to me that my forward hatch may already be a replacement. As Lewmar suggests, the id shall be stamped in the plexiglass . Yet, I didn't see any. My mid hatch is probably  the same size. It is always covered and I bet if I pull back the cover I would find its id. But, I'm feeling really good about the 556 x 556mm dimension. I did give some thought to purchasing a cover for a speedy resolve.

[Salty]

.
.
 But, no specs given and who's excited about spending $200 when so little information is provided.
 Cheers

Yes, that happens everywhere. Sometimes (very frequently) I think that yacht chandlers and others shoot themselves in the foot with their lack of useful information. With some online dealers it even goes to the extent where they don’t provide a telephone number or an email address so that you can ask a reasonable question to clear up any ambiguity !!

Have you considered going to a plastics manufacturer to get them to make you a replacement, while buying a new seal rubber from Mauri Pro?
If you look through your Yellow Pages phone directory I’m sure you would be able to locate a plastics firm who could make your replacement acrylic, and in the time while it’s being made you could cover the hole in your cabin top with a sheet of plywood secured from the underneath to make access more difficult for any of the light fingered brigade.

[WAArete]

 I had contacted Lewmar here in the States, for further assistance. I spoke to a fellow, who was certain I had a  Size 60 and gave me the part number if I just wished to order the gasket seal. However, I replied that I had been chatting with this group and learning of the "Large Low Profile" classification. He, contacted an English counterpart, who replied back with chart for all Bavaria "Custom Sized" Lewmar Portlights and Hatches.
 It would be my wish for this to be added for all going forward.
 Good Day!

[Kibo]

Note to those Vision owners downloading the file...  The hatches shown on page 3 are for the "original" Vision series 2006/7 not the post 2012/3 series V42 and V46.

Some may be the same but not all....