Gebo Econoline Portlights

[Keweetoo]

I want to replace the crazed acrylic portlights on my 1999 B35E which are Gebo Econoline. The acrylics will come off quite easily with the hinges which are screwed to the frame. However I can't see how the hinges and the latches can be removed from the acrylic  - they appear to be riveted. I assume the best option is to send an acrylic as a template to one of the specialist replacement suppliers but  how are the hinges and latches first removed and then replaced on the new acrylic - has anyone undertaken this task?
Thanks
Mike

[Stevie H]

I have the same portlights and replaced them all earlier this year. They are actually allen key screws, not rivets and those for the handles have a nyloc nut within the handles so you need to remove the little plastic plug in the handle.
  found it was an easy job.

When replacing the handle screws you just tighten them to create the right level of friction. For the hinge screws I found it best to loosely fit the screws and then tighten them evenly, checking the closing regularly so the acrylic is not distorted.

I found the easiest way to remove the plastic plugs in the handles was to drill a very small hole in it and then use a slightly larger self tapping screw to pull them out. Once refitted I could hardly see the holes but you can obtain replacements.   

[Keweetoo]

Hi Stevie,
Great info - thanks very much.
Mike

[nightowle]

Stevie,

Do you know if the windows are actually acrylic or polycarbonate?  I also have a 99 B 35E.  Interestingly, I believe the prior owner replaced the "glass" 6 or 7 years ago and one of the portlights that gets the most sun has recently started to craze.

[Stevie H]

The originals were acrylic and I replaced them with the same.

[nightowle]

Thanks, Steve.  I was looking online at the differences between poly and acrylic.  It seems the acrylic provides better sun protection.  I have a friend with a small CNC cutter so if I get a small sheet I can have him make a template from the old one and cut a few for me.

[blue bear]

Where are these replacements available from? I have  an 0cean 38 that also needs a few lenses replaced due to severe crazing on the surface. It is the gebo econoline, the wide lenses with 4 latches.

[Stevie H]

I believe replacements are available from Gebo in the Netherlands but the cheapest option is to remove one and take it to a local company that produces acrylic products -usually signs. I actually used a one man business relatively local to me at a cost of £67 each, which I considered a very good price.

[Salty]

I believe replacements are available from Gebo in the Netherlands but the cheapest option is to remove one and take it to a local company that produces acrylic products -usually signs. I actually used a one man business relatively local to me at a cost of £67 each, which I considered a very good price.

Thats exactly what I did with the badly crazed Lewmar portlights and hatches on a boat I had, and which I wrote an article about under “Crazed Portlights and Hatches” elsewhere on this forum in the section under Modifications and Equipment. Come on guys, a little bit of lateral thinking about a problem as Stevie and I have done, and you can save a whole load of cash.