Cracked wind deflector-gctid399788

[Guest]

I have a 1991 3288 and have taken off the two-piece plastic wind deflector from the bridge to clean/polish it and hopefully repair some cracks originating at one of the screw holes at the base.

Can anyone advise what this plastic material is and how to repair these cracks? So far they are not too long with two running paralell to the base and one starting upward, but they go through the material

from one side to the other. Your assistance is appreciated.

Thanks, Mike

[SomeSailor]

I'm guessing you're talking about the venturi windscreen? I just replaced mine on my trawler. It was two pieces just over 6' each. They are made from acrylic and my original was 3/16" and I replaced it with .25" material. It was pretty straightforward to cut and bend the material to match the originals. Take your time and it should be hotter than you can comfortably work bare-handed (Ov-Gloves).

[Mikalkc]

I went for years with a cracked venturi stop drilled and epoxied at the crack. They are replaceable with what amounts to OEM equipment from Middy Plastics, Redmond WA. They were (are) the manufacturer of the originals for Bayliner and a number of other boat manufacturers. I replaced the right side on our 32xx this spring. $360. The owners are getting old (80's) and are wanting out of the business so if you want any products from them do it soon. They have the original moulds and router boards and can match color shades for each specific vintage with the hull vin.

[Guest]

SomeSailor wrote:
I'm guessing you're talking about the venturi windscreen? I just replaced mine on my trawler. It was two pieces just over 6' each. They are made from acrylic and my original was 3/16" and I replaced it with .25" material. It was pretty straightforward to cut and bend the material to match the originals. Take your time and it should be hotter than you can comfortably work bare-handed (Ov-Gloves).

How did you heat it up?

Torch? Heat gun?

[boatbum]

With acrylic, do not use a torch to heat it as it will leave a carbon stain on the acrylic, small/medium size areas can be heated with a heat gun but the heating needs to be uniform and even. An oven and a vacuum mould is always best.

The best way to sort out the cracks is to drill a very small hole at the end of the crack, then fill the "crack" with methylene chloride ( a clear water like substance that is used as glue)