Attn: Beckson port owners

[Roger Long]

I can't face the work or cost of replacing my Beckson ports with metal (see MaineSail's site for what he went through). Besides, since I'm going north and like to sail late in the year, I appreciate the way the plastic ports don't sweat from the metal conducting cold air in. They clearly are not rugged enough for offshore conditions though.

My plan is to make removable covers that can be put on for offshore passages or in event of hinge or latch failure. Details of this project will appear on my web site. The covers will transfer any wave impact loads directly to the cabin side structure so should be as strong as metal ports.

I've emailed Beckson suggesting that they consider making the Lexan covers. The tooling and production should be simpler than the light covers themselves that they already make. If they don't pick up on this, I'm wondering if there are enough Beckson owners out there who would like to toughen up their ports without the expense of complete retrofit, that having a bunch of covers produced would be worth investigating.

Any comments?

 

[Stu Jackson]

Roger, I've thought about this, too

And have concluded it's a great idea. There is, however, an extension that should be considered. On my boat, and maybe on yours, the fixed ports would be the next thing to need being secured properly. Ours are just bedded and I added some small screws, but they ain't gonna hold up.

So, I've considered approaches for backups to your idea, and think that if the issue for us is leaks in the Becksons, then replacement parts would be the best thing, rather than covering them from the outside, which remains a good idea. My issues with the Becksons, which I have become intimately familiar with (in a positive way - boy, have I learned the details, but still really LIKE them compared to the leaky Lewmars our newer brethren have had installed on their C34s) are these:

leaks at the gaskets - new gaskets
broken toggle - have spare toggles
broken hasp (dog) on inside port - happened to me when sailing, stuffed a towel into the port, kept sailing, replaced entire port
lenses - haven't replaced any - they're dull, but people can't see in

So, since Beckson is so good with replacement parts, a couple of complete new ports and other parts, replacement could be affected after the waves subside.

Guess it's an issue of replacement after failure or preventing failure, but if the latter, the fixed ports have to be addressed.

Either that or we buy a more bulletproof boat, but since we both love the ones we have, that's not gonna work.

Your thoughts?

 

[ASchoenberg]

My Pearson 365 Needs ventilation

What size are your old Beckson opening ports? I need 5x12's. Would greatly appreciate not having to pay retail
Thanks

 

[Roger Long]

Your thoughts?

I have 10 Beckson ports, all opening. This makes the metal replacement route especially painful but does give me a lot of opportunity to experiment with fixes. Here's one that shows no sign of strain after two seasons:

http://www.rogerlongboats.com/Strider06work.htm#Hingefix

I have repaired several dog lugs with minature S.S. 2-56 F.H. machine screws. Usually, the top part of the lug pops off intact. Hold it in place and drill carefully above and below the pin with a drill just one size smaller than the screw will slip into. The carefully drill out the loose top part with a drill sized for the screw to slip into and countersink for the heads. Hold the broken part in place and drill exactly 1/2" in so that you leave a part of the hole that will self thread. Put masking tape on the drill bit for a mark.

Trial assemble to cut the threads and be sure everything will go together. You need to use a good small screwdriver and may need extra screws since it's easy to bugger up the head and you'll want to use a new one for the final fit. You could use a 2-56 tap but I'm afraid of breaking one off and then really being in a pickle.

Put the epoxy on and screw it together. I'm about to go around and put these screws in all my dog lugs prophylactically. I’ve also repaired lugs cracked on just one side by sliding epoxy in with a piece of paper and then putting screws in as described.

When a lug comes a part in pieces, as it appears to have done in your picture, I fabricate entire new lugs out of 1” x 1/8” aluminum angle as shown below and screw them into the frame and plywood cabin liner. I made the first one with just a hand drill but a $100 drill press is worth every penny. This time I made several more than I need in case of breakage while cruising. The lugs can be cut off with Sawsall type or regular hacksaw blade held with gloved hands and bent slightly. Hard work. Be sure to use a razor saw to cut down between the gasket groove and the lugs first.

The aluminum lugs have to be made as low as possible and the hole tight to the flange. You also need to study the existing plastic ones carefully. I can send you a pattern. On my ports, I needed to remove the screws that hold the frames closest to the lugs and replace them with F.H. or grind down the heads so the new aluminum lugs would sit flat.

I occasionally find water spots on my berth cushions after a heavy rain but I’ve discovered that the key to keeping these ports tight is scrupulous cleaning of the gasket and lens. A slight amount of dust and dirt blown in will let them leak.

 

[Scott T-Bird]

I will replace with custom made made ports ...

Our Starwind 27 badly needs to have the four port lights replaced. The windows are cracked and crazed to the point of allowing water to seep inside during a rain. The frames are severely cracked. I think the originals were Bomar/Gray but I can't be sure since there are no markings on them. Ours have the flange of the window on the outside and the trim ring on the inside.

I was surprised to see that only Beckson seemed to make ports with the same dimension of my originals and I was all set to order them; but, luckily I made some phone calls and found out that the wall thickness is limited to only an inch or less due to the spigot width of the windows. It appears that the spigot fits through from the inside and the trim ring fits around the spigot on the outside. The wall thickness, which in my case includes the headliner of the roof, is 1-1/4" on our boat, so the spigot will not protrude sufficiently.

Tim suggested that I check out the windows that are custom made by Bomon Marine, and I have measured them up and am all set to order. They are aluminum framed custom made windows which would have tempered glass lights except that our windows deflect at least 1/2" due to the curvature of the coach, so we will have to use acrylic or polycarbonate. What is the prefered material for this use?

The photo shows the interior of one of the windows with the trim ring removed. It was taken witht he cover on the boat so the window shows very dark.

 

[Roger Long]

What is the prefered material for this use?

Ask for MR 10 Lexan. Has UV and scratch resistant treatment on surfaces to minimize two downsides of Lexan vs Acrylic.

 

[Roger Long]

Beckson only gets about one inquiry a year for storm covers which doesn't add up to a market. Don't look for pre-made storm covers any time soon.

However, my home made storm cover project is off to a very good start with the installation of screw sockets going very smoothly.

http://www.rogerlongboats.com/09Winter.htm#Sockets


http://www.rogerlongboats.com/09Winter.htm/Sockets

 

[Maine Sail]

Roger

Are any of your Beckson's the 4X14 size?

 

[Roger Long]

Are any of your Beckson's the 4X14 size?

No. 5 x 12 and 7 x 14.

 

[Seattle Scott]

i replaced my Bomars with these in 5x12 for about $110
http://www.newfoundmetals.com/catalog/trimatrix1.html, they thru bolt and no calk.

 

[RAD]

Scott,

Great link and a nice port for the price but I need 4X14 for my ODay and the price is double for the 4X14's and there all stainless
I'm waiting for a sale at Defender and I'll get the Becksons and there exact replacements but I love the quality of the old Becksons vs the new ones

 

[Roger Long]

I love the quality of the old Becksons vs the new ones

Would you be more specific? I've been talking with Beckson about replacing all my ports because it's not as expensive as I thought. They have changed to a new and stronger material but I haven't seen any actual units. What's not to like?

 

[Maine Sail]

Great link and a nice port for the price but I need 4X14 for my ODay and the price is double for the 4X14's and there all stainless
I'm waiting for a sale at Defender and I'll get the Becksons and there exact replacements but I love the quality of the old Becksons vs the new ones

RAD,

The NFM Tri-matrix ports are much less money than the cast stainless or cast bronze but they are not yet available in 4X14.





Roger,

When you speak to Beckson ask about their seconds and over stock stuff. They have a bunch of ports in gray, not white, that were made for Pearson before they ceased production. They sell them at a huge discount!

 

[frers33]

Bonding MR 10 to aluminum

Ask for MR 10 Lexan. Has UV and scratch resistant treatment on surfaces to minimize two downsides of Lexan vs Acrylic.

Roger, in your projects and upgrades to your boat it looks like you used MR 10 in aluminum frames. Can you tell me what adhesive or sealant you used to bond to the aluminum, and if you ran into any particular problems? Also, any hints or tips you might care to share? Thanks.

 

[Roger Long]

Roger, in your projects and upgrades to your boat it looks like you used MR 10 in aluminum frames. Can you tell me what adhesive or sealant you used to bond to the aluminum, and if you ran into any particular problems? Also, any hints or tips you might care to share? Thanks.

I used West Marine clear silicone. I don't usually use their products but it was the only clear stuff I could find quickly that said that it had UV inhibitors in it.

So far, so good.

Hints:

Leave a good 1/8" all around. Use LOTS of masking on the plastic. Put sealant on both sides (plastic and aluminum). Don't do it over the living room rug.