Portlight sizes have apparently changed some since my 1978 boat's inception. Bomar,Lewmar,and Beckson list their sizes and all seem to be off by amounts that won't accomodate what i have. On top of that; i'm looking to replace with s/s as opposed to plastic or aluminum (log term oxidation?) Am i asking for too much? Do i need custom manufacturing? If so; who? outside dimensions-9 1/2"x17 3/4"; 14 3/4"x 8" Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks
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Bronze or Stainless
Replaced my portlights a few years ago with bronze from New Found Metals. Some work involved but the finished product is worth it.
Replaced my portlights a few years ago with bronze from New Found Metals. Some work involved but the finished product is worth it.
Bomar should be the exact replacment
Scott: The Bomar ports should be the exact replacements. You need to measure the inside of the trim ring. This is approx 1/4 - 1/2" smaller then the cutout size. Considering how long these things last, they are definitely the least expensive way to go if you time is worth anything. New Found Metals has some new ports that are made of some new type of plastic with S.S. and tempered glass that are NEAR direct replacments too. They do require some minor modifications.
Scott: The Bomar ports should be the exact replacements. You need to measure the inside of the trim ring. This is approx 1/4 - 1/2" smaller then the cutout size. Considering how long these things last, they are definitely the least expensive way to go if you time is worth anything. New Found Metals has some new ports that are made of some new type of plastic with S.S. and tempered glass that are NEAR direct replacments too. They do require some minor modifications.
Measured incorrectly.
You are not measuring correctly Scott. See my post on the Cherubini Forum. The same question was asked about a 1977 H30. You can buy exact replacements from Pompanette, see Related Link. Some have used Beckson because they drain better. I have no idea how well those fit. I guess it is also possible that your '78 is different from my '79. But the other manufacturers like NFM( http://www.newfoundmetals.com/ ) are not a good fit and require a lot of work. I installed bronze NFMs several years ago when they only made 7x14. Their 7x15s are a better fit but still require some shimming. A couple of guys have installed the new "Tri Matrix" from NFM but I do not know how good the fit. I think you can find pictures in the Photo Forum. See http://www.sailboatowners.com/upload/display.tpl?folder=73244560314&fno=17 for example.
You are not measuring correctly Scott. See my post on the Cherubini Forum. The same question was asked about a 1977 H30. You can buy exact replacements from Pompanette, see Related Link. Some have used Beckson because they drain better. I have no idea how well those fit. I guess it is also possible that your '78 is different from my '79. But the other manufacturers like NFM( http://www.newfoundmetals.com/ ) are not a good fit and require a lot of work. I installed bronze NFMs several years ago when they only made 7x14. Their 7x15s are a better fit but still require some shimming. A couple of guys have installed the new "Tri Matrix" from NFM but I do not know how good the fit. I think you can find pictures in the Photo Forum. See http://www.sailboatowners.com/upload/display.tpl?folder=73244560314&fno=17 for example.
NFM Tri-Matrix
I just recently replaced 5 Gray 5x12 ports with the Newfound Metals Tri-Matrix ports on our 78 H30. The only modifications required were to fill some the the existing bolt holes (ours were through bolted, not all are), add the drainage cutouts, and drill the new holes. Less than an hour each to install. I did have to make spacers for some of the ports as the wall thickness was only 1/4". The ports would still fit, but the hinges and dogs had to be extended too far. If you go with the Tri-Matrix, order the template for the cutout and holes and installation is a breeze. The ports use gaskets and o-rings to seal, so no caulk mess. The most time consuming tasks were cutting the bolts to the right length and cutting out the spacers. The one thing I did not like about the Tri-Matrix ports were the way the screens are attached. They come with a rubber gasket that is used to hold the screen in place. The screen attaches between the lens and the spigot, so the hinges and dogs have to be extended an extra 1/4" to accomodate. If you decide to remove the screen, the lens must be readjusted. Instead in bought some rubber edge trim to fit on the rim of the screen. I put a strip top and bottom, then insert the screen from the outside and the rubber holds it in place. Holds fast, easy to remove, and not adjust required. Check out the link, for NFM, it has detailed installation instructions. The NFM ports were simlarly priced to the Bomar, Gray, Beckson, etc., but screens were extra. Delivery was about 6 weeks.
I just recently replaced 5 Gray 5x12 ports with the Newfound Metals Tri-Matrix ports on our 78 H30. The only modifications required were to fill some the the existing bolt holes (ours were through bolted, not all are), add the drainage cutouts, and drill the new holes. Less than an hour each to install. I did have to make spacers for some of the ports as the wall thickness was only 1/4". The ports would still fit, but the hinges and dogs had to be extended too far. If you go with the Tri-Matrix, order the template for the cutout and holes and installation is a breeze. The ports use gaskets and o-rings to seal, so no caulk mess. The most time consuming tasks were cutting the bolts to the right length and cutting out the spacers. The one thing I did not like about the Tri-Matrix ports were the way the screens are attached. They come with a rubber gasket that is used to hold the screen in place. The screen attaches between the lens and the spigot, so the hinges and dogs have to be extended an extra 1/4" to accomodate. If you decide to remove the screen, the lens must be readjusted. Instead in bought some rubber edge trim to fit on the rim of the screen. I put a strip top and bottom, then insert the screen from the outside and the rubber holds it in place. Holds fast, easy to remove, and not adjust required. Check out the link, for NFM, it has detailed installation instructions. The NFM ports were simlarly priced to the Bomar, Gray, Beckson, etc., but screens were extra. Delivery was about 6 weeks.
NO NO Pompanette!
5 years ago I replaced my Original 79 H30 main cabin port lights from Gray Ents. with exact replacements from new owner of the company, Pompanette. The first of the four lost it's hinge spring within 6 months, the second lost it's spring tension in two years. The third lost a piece of its lens due to friction on the hinge/frame mount in three years. The fourth lost it's dog bolt pin mount entirely in 3 years I replaced the four smaller port lights eight years ago with exact match sized units from Bomar. No cracks, no leaks, no flopping lenses, no problems! So, why didn't I buy Bomar for the big ones? I was stupid...I didn't want to pay someone to re-glass the cabin opening to fit Bomar's sizes. Now I'm going to have to buy Bomars and pay some one to re-glass and install them. So, NO NO Pompanette for me.
5 years ago I replaced my Original 79 H30 main cabin port lights from Gray Ents. with exact replacements from new owner of the company, Pompanette. The first of the four lost it's hinge spring within 6 months, the second lost it's spring tension in two years. The third lost a piece of its lens due to friction on the hinge/frame mount in three years. The fourth lost it's dog bolt pin mount entirely in 3 years I replaced the four smaller port lights eight years ago with exact match sized units from Bomar. No cracks, no leaks, no flopping lenses, no problems! So, why didn't I buy Bomar for the big ones? I was stupid...I didn't want to pay someone to re-glass the cabin opening to fit Bomar's sizes. Now I'm going to have to buy Bomars and pay some one to re-glass and install them. So, NO NO Pompanette for me.
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