plastic panel/sheet

[jobu]

I am looking for a good solid surface material 3/16"-1/4" that comes in 2'x3' sheets for covering my dash. It has a thousand screw holes and chips and I want to put in new guages and switches. I also want to make a new top hatch and maybe door to my cuddy. I have the original plexy setup and it's not very practical. For this I would like something with some structural integrity in the 3/4"- 1" range. I have a cutting board that I made into a drink/stuff holder and it is excellant. Something like Corian but not as dense or brittle.
Any suggestion links would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Joe

[htillman]

I used Seaboard (maybe Cboard) by US Plastics. It is made for marine use/grade and is sold in various thicknesses. Starboard is very similar, both good products. I purchased a 4'x8' sheet 3/4" for my project.

[jobu]

Thanks et23, Can you get it in thinner sheets too?
How resilient is it to scraches and stains?
How much did a 3/4" sheet set you back?
Is it strong for say using to span a 24" hatch? (my boat is at my parents house and covered right now, I wish I could go take some photos) I was thinking about making a three panel hinged section (versus the 2 section that's there now) and recessing smaller pcs. of plexi into it.
I will go check their site out.
Thanks,
Joe

[htillman]

It comes different thickness. It has a finish texture just like poly cutting boards. It would make a good hatch butI would add stiffeners if the hatches were large. I am using it to make trim, rod holders, cutting boards for coolers, hatch covers for v-berth, etc. Kind of expensive but cheaper than teak.

[jobu]

Thanks again, I think I found it. US PLASTICS was a tough site to navigate...more for an industrial customer. I did find Seaboard...prices were better than I thought. How does the color look against you gelcoat. I think this is the one.

http://www.modernplastics.com/seaboa...et-p-1026.html

Thanks again...I will hopefully get some pictures out soon,
Joe

[htillman]

The white color is going to be fine with my paint. I am really happy with the color and the product. My tackle boxes have some of the same material on them.

[Old'sCool]

StarBoard is good stuff, it cuts/routers like butter. It won't hold screws for long so plan on thru-bolting. IMHO, it is too slippery when wet for a horizontal surface like a hatch cover. although perfect for a console cover or stuctural like drawers. etc.

[jobu]

I am thinking about the hatch to the cuddy...it's like a 28x48" sliding 2 panel unit with a piano hinge going left to right. I am thinking of making a three panel hinged setup so I don't have to remove it entirely when I walk to the bow for mooring. I will make panels apprx 28x20" and rout out the middle leaving a monolithique 3" border and inlaying a piece of tinted lexan or acrylic.
The first thing though is to cover the flat areas at both the passenger dash and helm to recieve new gauge cluster/switches and glove box door/frame. I have used composite boards alot for house trim and you're right...thread strentgh is an issue, especially where this isn't as dense as say Koma or Azek board. I think in some cases like piano hinge where the screws are going into the edges vs. flat...to use longer course threaded ss screws, predrill and heat. On other ares of question...most mfgs make a pvc cement or similar which actually welds the joints together.
I spend most of my spare time on rc planes, building and flying...but now I really want to start in on this. the boat is currently 50 miles away outside and covered. I am looking into renting an indoor space close by to start.
The only thing I am not sure of is how much teak I should replace...I do like some of the accents
Joe

[htillman]

Sounds like your boat is a 23 Sceptre. I am going to make my cabin hatch very similar to how you are making yours, I will be using some teak along with the Seaboard. I have been told to make sure to use silicone with the fasteners and not 5200. Not sure why. I am going to use plexiglass to make the covers for the instrument and glovebox covers. They will be covered by custom covers made by a CSC member. I have used plexigass before, one time I used clear and painted the backside black which looked real nice and gave a very clean effect. Send pictures of your hatch cover or keep in touch, I am not ready to make mine yet but will in the next couple of months. The other issue I have is making the cabin doors - whether to use teak or Seaboard.

[jobu]

yep, 23 Sceptre. That sounds like a good idea with the back painted plexi glass. What kind of paint do you use? How do you prep the surface to make sure it tacks? Do you silicone the piece right to the boat...does it effect the paint. Seems like a nice glossy resilient surface when done. I am just wondering how the paint color will match up. I think I will need to awlgrip the entire front helm area first...The last thing I want is a bunch of slightly different colors (patchy). I've never really used plexiglass before other than cutting in some windows...how hard is it to router?
I will take pics as I go and post them but It looks like unless I can find a garage to rent I will be months away from starting too. We have been having one of the worst winters that I can remember and all of my work so far has been outside, I am a carpenter. Right now it's snowing, 20 degrees with NW wind about 20-30mph. Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
joe