1984 Hunter 27' portlight replacement

[cara]

Hi all -- we need to replace all 8 of our portlights, because the plexiglass (?) is starting to snap off and come apart. They are disintegrating before our eyes.

I've contacted Bomar (Pompanette) the manufacturer of portlights (and who apparently acquired Grey Industries a while back) to see if they would know the proper model # of the portlights based on our boat make/model. They don't, so I was wondering if anyone else might have this information? We will measure (and measure again), but just thought i'd check. Also, if you have any tips on portlight replacement based on experience, we would love to hear it. We received the estimate from the contractor, who estimates it could take 2-3 hours per window. At $97/hour, that's painful! On the other hand, we do not have the time or the inclination to do the work ourselves.

One last question... we live near Boston so the cold weather has hit. Does anyone have guidance around the cure times needed for the right installation of portlights? We think we've probably lost our window (pun intended) of opportunity this year, and will likely have to wait until the spring to have them installed.

Thanks, all!
Cara

 

[rbietry]

They have both the ports if you need them, or just the lens and other parts on this site.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Have any pictures? They could be either Becksons or Grays. Both still in business, both still available on this site, too, IIRC.

 

[Mr Mac]

You can ask around your marina for someone who has done that work before (it is pretty simple to do) and maybe strike a deal for them to replace the ports for you. I know my son would take on a job like that for a much smaller amount than $97/hour! Just a thought.

 

[rufus1138]

97/hr, did you ask him where he buys his "stuff" sounds like its awesome. (he's high as tommy chongs pet squirrel is what im getting at, sarcasam sucks in text)

 

[Ian McGain]

This is a do-it-yourself project, one port at a time. You will find, as I did, that there is delamination all around your ports and the drains will no loner match-up and will have to be re-cut. You will use the West system to fill in the void. Read-up on the West system temp requirements. That is your weather limit. The ports on this site are a good price and tough to beat. Couple of tubes of the proper caulk and some blue tape and you are good to go. The hardest job is pulling out the old ports.

Good Luck

Ian

 

[cara]

I do plan on purchasing the windows on this site. The existing windows are Greys (Grey Industries, which is no longer in business as it was bought out by Pompanette). We would love to do the work ourselves, however with full-time jobs and kids we do not have the time or the energy. I know this is disheartening to many do-it-yourselfers! What we like about going with someone in the industry is the guarantee and the fact that we will probably get the work done much faster than going with someone at the marina (we did ask a carpenter at our marina who apparently replaced his own portlights several months ago to give us an estimate. We have not received an estimate yet and have been told by several people that he is extremely slow to respond...).

I know $97/hour is steep but then again, we are in extremely high priced area of Boston. We are discovering that nothing related to a boat is inexpensive.

 

[ggrizzard]

One bit of advice from one who's had port lights replaced by the "Pros" and done the job myself: Unless you've gotten a recommendation from someone you trust who had the job done by a local pro, don't let a yard the work. At the very least, ask the yards spec on the work and try to verify that it is being done to spec.