I have cleaned the haze off the plexiglass port windows(= With Tooth Paste. Lotsa Rubbing. They are now clear again. Like new. The Seals or Gaskets Must be at the end of their Life cause they just started Leaking in a Heavy Rain)=. A a Thrifty Person I am looking for a Long Lasting inexpensive Replacement?? I work @ a Marina in Easton Maryland and we Just Scraped a 1980 Hunter 30 )= I took 2 port windows from her to replace the cracked outer extension on 2 I have. The Seals on these also Leak. Can i buy just the gaskets? Looks like a Rubber type of Rope? on the Ports? The Hatches on the other hand? Advice?
1977 Hunter 30 Ports and Hatches Leak?
- Thread starter Rich Bright
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Rich:
Here is a link to a post I made sometime back. The (still original) hatches and ports gasket joints remain leak free with this solution.
http://forums.hunter.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=767754&highlight=port gasket
Here is a link to a post I made sometime back. The (still original) hatches and ports gasket joints remain leak free with this solution.
http://forums.hunter.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=767754&highlight=port gasket
Here is a working repair solution to leaking ports. Some will say it is heresy but no leaks. What I did was use the screen insert as a pattern and have a thick 1/4"? plexiglass sheet cut to the pattern. Cost about $20.00 a port. Then I glazed the pieces into the ports from the outside. Using normal calk (not silicone, which is bad for plexiglass). I glazed a bead on the inside and outside of the plexiglass. No leaks now. Of course no opening ports either.
Paul:
Thanks for your post. Might be the solution I have been looking for. My mid and small sized ports are in great shape because I happened upon a Gray liquidation several years ago and they had those sizes. But the plexiglass of two of the four big ones really look bad even with attempts at polishing. If I do two of these with your method, I will still have 8 out of 10 ports that still open. Plus the hatches and the companionway, more than enough ventilation.
Do you remember the type/brand of caulk that you used? No fasteners at all?
regards,
rardi
Thanks for your post. Might be the solution I have been looking for. My mid and small sized ports are in great shape because I happened upon a Gray liquidation several years ago and they had those sizes. But the plexiglass of two of the four big ones really look bad even with attempts at polishing. If I do two of these with your method, I will still have 8 out of 10 ports that still open. Plus the hatches and the companionway, more than enough ventilation.
Do you remember the type/brand of caulk that you used? No fasteners at all?
regards,
rardi
Mineral oil works great for cleaning and putting life back into the gasket. You can also use dielectric grease to recondition them during seasonal routine maint (usually at haulout). A large tube costs about $7 at advance auto. I use this on my vetus port gasket and it works great.
Richdi
I have the same on my boat. I closed off 3 ports using cut plexiglass on the outside. The plexiglass shop that cut the plexiglass for me suggested not using silicone because of the oils in plexiglass. I like the window and door caulk from Lowes but likely any good non-silicone caulk will work. Look for adhesive qualities in the caulk. I left my old port "glass" in but I am thinking of removing it as it serves no purpose now.
I have the same on my boat. I closed off 3 ports using cut plexiglass on the outside. The plexiglass shop that cut the plexiglass for me suggested not using silicone because of the oils in plexiglass. I like the window and door caulk from Lowes but likely any good non-silicone caulk will work. Look for adhesive qualities in the caulk. I left my old port "glass" in but I am thinking of removing it as it serves no purpose now.
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