Windows/Hatches for a new or rebuild yacht...
- Rowland Smith
- Apr 10
- 3 min read
I was recently sent the following email from Paul, who it appears is building a boat..
"I would like to find out what items you have in stock and for sale please? If you could email me back with price, size, quantity, delivery costs to UB6 XXX etc. that would be wonderful.
I am after some hatches, portlight etc. and the size does not really matter at this stage because I am rebuilding my boat and just shopping around.
Many thanks and I look forward to hearing from you, Paul"
This was my response which I hope may be useful to others out there with similar thoughts..
Hi Paul
That's a bit broad brush, but I will try and provide some guidance...
Manufacturers typically do two ranges; catalogue and custom. Custom is for volume production (eg Hallberg Rassy) where something 'different' is sought. Manufacturers loose interest in specific custom sizes very quickly so not always a benefit. Catalogue units are off the shelf and tend to have an extended lifecycle and manufacturer support. For example Beneteau use Lewmar catalogue units, so spares are available back to the 1980's. Hallberg Rassy use Custom Atlantic ports from Lewmar (since 1997, denoted 'Astar') and Lewmar refuse to make/supply any more! We can refurbish however.
So I would stick with Catalogue. This is particularly the case for openers vs fixed pane units.
We can have new windows made, but the choice of sections is VERY limited - see - https://www.eagleboatwindows.co.uk/post/frames-new-vs-old-considerations
For hatches you could go new or used. I would stick to more recent used units where the manufacturers hold spares so Lewmar, Gebo, Goiot. Chinese copies (eg Bainbridge) are cheap and not as bad as they used to be but are still not great. Personally I'd have an older Lewmar over a new Chinese copy.
For Lewmar hatches are either edge sealed (superhatch/rollstop/ocean/coastline...) or have a split lid frame with the acrylic held in a rubber seal (Low/Medium Profile). The latter are lower cost and ultimately don't last as long but are still fine hatches (HR uses MP).
The main difference between the ranges is the intended use and thus acrylic thickness. For Ocean sailing, a typical Size 60 (foredeck) Ocean(/Rollstop) or MP use 12mm. LP and Coastline (as Superhatch) are typically 2mm thinner on the acrylic.
If just coastal then LP is fine. Superhatch/Rollstop/Coastlne/Trimline are now obsolete but can be found used. A common foredeck hatch is a Size 60 (~500 x 500 cutout) and these are typically £400 + VAT to refurb with new acrylic, seal and if available outer plastics (handles etc).
More on hatches here -
Most manufactures produce ranges which mimic the Lewmar Sizes. Where they can differ is in the corner radius so check this.
Is that enough to be going on with?
Kind regards, Rowland Smith
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On 08/04/2026 09:12, Feikaff wrote:
A very good morning to you and I hope this email finds you well.
I would like to find out what items you have in stock and for sale please? If you could email me back with price, size, quantity, delivery costs to UB6 8BP etc. that would be wonderful.
I am after some hatches, portlight etc. and the size does not really matter at this stage because I am rebuilding my boat and just shopping around.
Many thanks and I look forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards
Paul
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