Ports

[SantaCruzS2]

Greetings everyone.....

What is the best way to deal with leaking ports? The ports are original, and somewhat old (30 years).... The plastic seems weak, and 4 out of 6 leak.

Would you recommend replacing the hatches or attempt to re-seal them?

Also, my wife is a fan of the stainless or bronze look. They're pricey, but look pretty. Are metal ports better then plastic?

Thanks.

 

[Broke sailor SV Marcell]

If you remove your port lite and send it here they will repair and send it back to you

http://www.selectplastics.com/index.php/blogs/tonyd/lewmar-old-standard-fixed-portlight-repair.html

 

[Stu Jackson]

The make of the ports is pretty important. Lewmar has the SS in newer lights and the old ones leaked from the joint on the long ends. Beckson plastics are easily replaced and quite reasonable. Pompanette picked up the distribution of the Gray Line ports. We have no idea from your post what brands you have on your boat and that does make all the difference.

 

[SantaCruzS2]

The make of the ports is pretty important. Lewmar has the SS in newer lights and the old ones leaked from the joint on the long ends. Beckson plastics are easily replaced and quite reasonable. Pompanette picked up the distribution of the Gray Line ports. We have no idea from your post what brands you have on your boat and that does make all the difference.

And in there lies the problem.... The last couple of owners dont know the make of the ports, and we're pretty sure that the ports are original. I'll take some photos and see what we think.

 

[Stu Jackson]

That's understandable

"Maine Sail" is one of the moderators on this board and a frequent contributor has a great website. It includes a well done write up of installing New Found Metals portlights. See: http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising

 

[Dave Groshong]

They're probably Gray Enterprises ports, I would start with replacing the gasket; here's links to those pages of our site:

http://shop.sailboatowners.com/detail.htm?group=645

http://shop.sailboatowners.com/detail.htm?group=1418

http://shop.sailboatowners.com/detail.htm?group=722

 

[Maine Sail]

Greetings everyone.....

What is the best way to deal with leaking ports? The ports are original, and somewhat old (30 years).... The plastic seems weak, and 4 out of 6 leak.

Would you recommend replacing the hatches or attempt to re-seal them?

Also, my wife is a fan of the stainless or bronze look. They're pricey, but look pretty. Are metal ports better then plastic?

Thanks.

You say ports so I will assume you're talking about port lights not deck hatches..? If they are plastic ports and the frames are brittle and cracking you really have no choice but to replace them. If it's the lens that is cracked those are replaceable as are most lens gaskets. You don't say where the ports are leaking though so it's tough to give advice on which way to proceed. Either the port is leaking between the lens and port or the port is leaking between the frame and the hull sides.

Budget will determine whether you want to stick with plastic or make a move to stainless or bronze..