I'm picking up an older H45 in the next weeks. Great boat for my needs and budget but I'd like to get a bit more light and possibly air down below. Has anyone enlarged the fixed lights on the hull? Would be more than satisfied if I could get them to the size on the newer H42-45's. Would it be practical to have them be opening ports? Will do some cruising so want to make it safe but would enjoy a bit more light and if possible, air flow too.
Anyone add larger ports?
- Thread starter Padrino
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Are those the elliptical deadlights? I see that New Found Metals(NFM) only makes those to 15". In rectangular they go much larger. I would not replace them with anything that wasn't stainless with safety glass. In fact, at $700.+, I would not be replacing them at all. Marks Plastics in CA could help you with larger deadlights.
http://www.newfoundmetals.com/catalog/pg01.html
http://www.newfoundmetals.com/catalog/pg01.html
Thanks Ed. I've been looking at the NFM ports and they do make a 15 inch by 5, 6 and 7 for under $300 each.
My concern is, would there be any significant weakening of the hull by going with larger 'rectangular' windows than the small elliptical fixed lights that are in there currently. Anyone think I should be concerned on this matter???
My concern is, would there be any significant weakening of the hull by going with larger 'rectangular' windows than the small elliptical fixed lights that are in there currently. Anyone think I should be concerned on this matter???
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I wrote Hunter and asked them the same question, can I enlarge the portlight openings on the hull? Unfortunately I stated I was looking at the NFM ports. All they responded with was they haven't tested the NFM ports. You would think they might have answered the first part of the question...is it safe to enlarge the port openings? Wrote them back but no answer so I guess unlike the genie in the bottle you don't get 3 questions, you only get 1. Anyone else know?
All that I can tell you is my bronze NFM portlights are about ten times stronger than what they replaced. But I don't know some things about your boat. How much larger are you going to make the holes? Do you plan to add holes? And how strong are the current deadlights? My guess is that if you only replace the current deadlights with slightly larger stainless or bronze NFMs the hull will actually be stronger.
Oh, yes, very much. Anything much larger would offer structural issues to the hull, but Ed might be right about the ports themselves. There are a few observations:
1. Enlarging the existing ones wouldn't give you that much more light.
2. Opening ports in a hull? I originally thought: What are you thinking? Then I thought about the Titanic, but, really, sorry about that. For your production boat, or for any boat of that size, what you REALLY need to research is not simply a few manufacturers of portlights, but ones that are used by major boatbuilders that DO install opening ports in the hull. Try Hinckley. I doubt if Morris Yachts does, but maybe.
3. Given #1 and the possibilities of leaks, can you investigate more opening portlights that will always be ABOVE the waterline?
Good luck, would be interesting to know what you learn.
Don't go sailing with just the screens in them.
That's a good point Stu. For any appreciable improvement they would need to be much larger. Looking at this picture makes me think there might be installation problems due to the hull curvature. It is subtle but still there.
http://hunter.sailboatowners.com/in...&Itemid=278&pid=14018&page=sshow&mn=&catid=94
http://hunter.sailboatowners.com/in...&Itemid=278&pid=14018&page=sshow&mn=&catid=94
Thanks for the advice and info Ed and Stu!! Words well taken by me. I did hear back from Hunter and they had to take the legal position of no advice, which was smart and what I expected. Nelson Merak have their offices in San Diego and they're a good naval architect. I'll pay them to figure this one out. Not giving up or giving in but wanting some more light and air down below but want to do it safely. Will post again after I find out from an engineer.
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