This year I will have all of my portlights replaced before 2005. I have the Bomar/Gray...I think they are the standard that Hunter put in. They are ugly, yellow, catch water, catch lines and they stick out and are seriously dangerous. I was told that I could trim the sides down but still that doesn't take away from the ugliness and the water catching. I wanted to replace them with Lewmar but they won't fit and I don't want to use any wood built-up like they suggest on their site. It looks like I am SOL as far as getting something that will look good and work. Has anyone replaced their portlights on their 34? (my boat is a 1985) Thanks!!
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Have you come to the right place!
Several discussions going on right now. I did it last year. (all nine) You want Beckson. Same size, minor extra cutting. Check the archives. Even part# are there. See how they look before and after on my web site.
Several discussions going on right now. I did it last year. (all nine) You want Beckson. Same size, minor extra cutting. Check the archives. Even part# are there. See how they look before and after on my web site.
Don't want any more plastic..it fades
Ahoy Fred....I don't want to use any more plastic, I want to use stainless steel or aluminum. There is a place up in Port Towsend, New Found Metals, I may check in with them since they make ports that should fit in when I take the others out...
Ahoy Fred....I don't want to use any more plastic, I want to use stainless steel or aluminum. There is a place up in Port Towsend, New Found Metals, I may check in with them since they make ports that should fit in when I take the others out...
OK,
Have you shopped their web site? I thought I had it, but no. It's simple, (their name.com) I priced them last year and the ports were about $200.00 each, if that works for you. Not bad for stainless.
Have you shopped their web site? I thought I had it, but no. It's simple, (their name.com) I priced them last year and the ports were about $200.00 each, if that works for you. Not bad for stainless.
Yes I have seen their site
Thanks Fred....I have seen their site and also talked with them just now. I may give them a try but I just wanted to know if anyone else has replaced their ports with anthying metal. YOu said that you just replaced your ports..aren't they plastic? Aren't you worried about the discolorization after a few years or did you go ahead and paint them before you installed them? I really wanted something easier than the three turn knobs that are also a pain in the butt when opening and closing them...in other words you had better not try to open or close them in a hurry as thats not an option. I appreciate your input and I still want to see your boat next time I am home. Susan
Thanks Fred....I have seen their site and also talked with them just now. I may give them a try but I just wanted to know if anyone else has replaced their ports with anthying metal. YOu said that you just replaced your ports..aren't they plastic? Aren't you worried about the discolorization after a few years or did you go ahead and paint them before you installed them? I really wanted something easier than the three turn knobs that are also a pain in the butt when opening and closing them...in other words you had better not try to open or close them in a hurry as thats not an option. I appreciate your input and I still want to see your boat next time I am home. Susan
Susan, they are on my web site
I have no idea how long they will hold their color. But the latest and greatest plastics shouldn't be too bad. And note what mine look like with the flanges trimmed to fit. (Use a band-saw). And then too, I replaced those Gray dogs, with Beckson cams the day they went to market. That's why you see them on pictures of my old Gray's. The new Becksons have a different (thicker) gasket too. That means only two dogs are needed. I can literally open or close/dog a port in two seconds each.
I have no idea how long they will hold their color. But the latest and greatest plastics shouldn't be too bad. And note what mine look like with the flanges trimmed to fit. (Use a band-saw). And then too, I replaced those Gray dogs, with Beckson cams the day they went to market. That's why you see them on pictures of my old Gray's. The new Becksons have a different (thicker) gasket too. That means only two dogs are needed. I can literally open or close/dog a port in two seconds each.
Is it worth the expense?
Susan: Are you sure that you are up to the task of a total replacement of the ports? Ed S. did this on his H37C using the NFM portlights. I think if you ask Ed about it he would probably not do it again, knowing what he knows now. Considering that these units have lasted for 20 years says something for the quality. I had considered doing this to our H'31 and decided that the $2000+ dollars could be put to better uses. If you use the NFM ports, remember that they need chains to hold them open (this was one thing that I did not like about them). If you use plastic ports, install them properly (cut off the lip) and put some protective coating like Island Girl or other plastic protectant they will last for 20+ years and will probably not yellow either. I would really think about this before you jump in with both feet.
Susan: Are you sure that you are up to the task of a total replacement of the ports? Ed S. did this on his H37C using the NFM portlights. I think if you ask Ed about it he would probably not do it again, knowing what he knows now. Considering that these units have lasted for 20 years says something for the quality. I had considered doing this to our H'31 and decided that the $2000+ dollars could be put to better uses. If you use the NFM ports, remember that they need chains to hold them open (this was one thing that I did not like about them). If you use plastic ports, install them properly (cut off the lip) and put some protective coating like Island Girl or other plastic protectant they will last for 20+ years and will probably not yellow either. I would really think about this before you jump in with both feet.
Newfound Metal portlights.
I am the Ed S. that Steve mentioned. And he is right, there are three of us for sure that would steer you back to Beckson. You could do a Forum Archive search for "newfound"(if it is working) or write me for the details. I would be surprised if there is a perfect Newfound fit for the H34 but I do not know much about your boat. I see several Hunters with black portlights. Have those been painted or does someone make a black portlight? Do they fade over time? I personally like the look. I love the looks of my bronze Newfound portlights. And the two dog closure and the fact that they do not leak. But there are a lot of negatives. Ed Schenck h37skipper@juno.com
I am the Ed S. that Steve mentioned. And he is right, there are three of us for sure that would steer you back to Beckson. You could do a Forum Archive search for "newfound"(if it is working) or write me for the details. I would be surprised if there is a perfect Newfound fit for the H34 but I do not know much about your boat. I see several Hunters with black portlights. Have those been painted or does someone make a black portlight? Do they fade over time? I personally like the look. I love the looks of my bronze Newfound portlights. And the two dog closure and the fact that they do not leak. But there are a lot of negatives. Ed Schenck h37skipper@juno.com
Gray mak'um black.
Ed: Bomar/Gray makes the ports in black. Personally I would stay with the Gray ports. It is a slam dunk replacement and they last for 20+ years. I do not think that any port can be opened without any water leaking down below. We just have a towel ready if there is a chance of water. This is a boat after all, things get wet !!!
Ed: Bomar/Gray makes the ports in black. Personally I would stay with the Gray ports. It is a slam dunk replacement and they last for 20+ years. I do not think that any port can be opened without any water leaking down below. We just have a towel ready if there is a chance of water. This is a boat after all, things get wet !!!
Beckson Port Comments
Don't know anything about the Grey ports but with Beckson the ports can be ordered with the thickness (the portion that sticks through the coach roof) in 1/2-inch increments or to a custom dimension. They are also available in black or white. Perhaps the Grey ports could be had similarly? No harm asking. Would highly recommend replacing the ports with something that is a "drop in" and doesn't require any custom cuting and fiting of the coach roof. This is a messy, dirty, time consuming job. Also the resale value would probably be better keeping the boat looking original. With regard to a UV plastic protection product I would recommend talking to a technical person at 303 Products, the same people that make the 303 High Tech Fabric Guard and 303 Aerospace Protectant for use on Sunbrella (http://www.303products.com/). They have products specifically formulated for UV protection on certain types of plastics. They could probably also advise if the UV coating should go on before the sealant or after. Speaking of sealants: For some items, such as DOW sealants, the black version has better UV inhibitors than the white version of their product. While this may not be true across the board it's something worth considering when making color selections and when talking to salespeople. With regard to how well a product holds up under UV, the plexiglass in the window of the port will need changing after a few years due to crazing. Some people are more sensitive to how the "glass" looks than others. We went about 10 years and couldn't believe the difference in how the new glass looked. Having known that I would have changed them sooner. The gaskets, likewise, will need to be changed before the port frame.
Don't know anything about the Grey ports but with Beckson the ports can be ordered with the thickness (the portion that sticks through the coach roof) in 1/2-inch increments or to a custom dimension. They are also available in black or white. Perhaps the Grey ports could be had similarly? No harm asking. Would highly recommend replacing the ports with something that is a "drop in" and doesn't require any custom cuting and fiting of the coach roof. This is a messy, dirty, time consuming job. Also the resale value would probably be better keeping the boat looking original. With regard to a UV plastic protection product I would recommend talking to a technical person at 303 Products, the same people that make the 303 High Tech Fabric Guard and 303 Aerospace Protectant for use on Sunbrella (http://www.303products.com/). They have products specifically formulated for UV protection on certain types of plastics. They could probably also advise if the UV coating should go on before the sealant or after. Speaking of sealants: For some items, such as DOW sealants, the black version has better UV inhibitors than the white version of their product. While this may not be true across the board it's something worth considering when making color selections and when talking to salespeople. With regard to how well a product holds up under UV, the plexiglass in the window of the port will need changing after a few years due to crazing. Some people are more sensitive to how the "glass" looks than others. We went about 10 years and couldn't believe the difference in how the new glass looked. Having known that I would have changed them sooner. The gaskets, likewise, will need to be changed before the port frame.
Never had crazing with Gray.
John: I have the original Gray ports on our 1985 H'31. They have not had any gaskets or lens replaced. We have not had any leaks either. The lens get foggy and I have cleaned them with Meguires and a few other products. This process last for a few months and then we need to do it again. I would have to agree with you that there is no justification for changing to a different mfg. Just use a good sealant to bed them and sand or grind off any excess and they will be good to go. I would guess that one could replace all of the ports in a single weekend by using the original product. The plastic protectants that are on the market today should make these ports last for as long as the boat is going to live.
John: I have the original Gray ports on our 1985 H'31. They have not had any gaskets or lens replaced. We have not had any leaks either. The lens get foggy and I have cleaned them with Meguires and a few other products. This process last for a few months and then we need to do it again. I would have to agree with you that there is no justification for changing to a different mfg. Just use a good sealant to bed them and sand or grind off any excess and they will be good to go. I would guess that one could replace all of the ports in a single weekend by using the original product. The plastic protectants that are on the market today should make these ports last for as long as the boat is going to live.
Are you guys speculating or
hoping and is this wishful thinking? My Grays 'exploded' (86). They were a pain to dog down, the lenses died in the tropics and re-bedding them is major work because silicone CAN'T BE applied over its' self. You must remove the old stuff. Work! Big time! And dogging the originals is reason enough to trash 'em! Then there's the flange sticking into space. The ugly ankle buster. Want some more reasons? OK, The plastic holding the dogs breaks because the gaskets have no pliability so you have to tighten them too much to stop the leaks. Whew! Did I mention the yellowing? I did find a solution to the lenses dying. Line them with foil in the off season. Come on, bad product.
hoping and is this wishful thinking? My Grays 'exploded' (86). They were a pain to dog down, the lenses died in the tropics and re-bedding them is major work because silicone CAN'T BE applied over its' self. You must remove the old stuff. Work! Big time! And dogging the originals is reason enough to trash 'em! Then there's the flange sticking into space. The ugly ankle buster. Want some more reasons? OK, The plastic holding the dogs breaks because the gaskets have no pliability so you have to tighten them too much to stop the leaks. Whew! Did I mention the yellowing? I did find a solution to the lenses dying. Line them with foil in the off season. Come on, bad product.
Fred vs. Steve
Is this a debate about the difference between salt and fresh water? Steve, aren't you up the river with your boat? I am in Florida and have been spending some time around the marinas. You can easily see how damaging the constant hot sun and salt water is to the stainless and gelcoat. Could this be the reason that Fred is seeing the plastic ports "dying" so rapidly?
Is this a debate about the difference between salt and fresh water? Steve, aren't you up the river with your boat? I am in Florida and have been spending some time around the marinas. You can easily see how damaging the constant hot sun and salt water is to the stainless and gelcoat. Could this be the reason that Fred is seeing the plastic ports "dying" so rapidly?
Thanks to all of you
Thanks to all of you...I like all of your ideas and they made me think alot about all of my options..Now I am really confused...I may never get them replaced as I am not sure what I want to do. I may head to Minney's one day to see what they have around.
Thanks to all of you...I like all of your ideas and they made me think alot about all of my options..Now I am really confused...I may never get them replaced as I am not sure what I want to do. I may head to Minney's one day to see what they have around.
One more Newfound note.
This traveling and visiting H37C friends is alright! Retirement is shaping up as OK. Last Saturday I was on Tom H's H37C. He has installed the stainless Newfound Metal portlights, the 7x15s. Boy are they pretty. Compared to my bronze 7x14s they seem to let in a lot more light. And they have four dogs each, two on the bottom and one on each side. Wish I had waited.
This traveling and visiting H37C friends is alright! Retirement is shaping up as OK. Last Saturday I was on Tom H's H37C. He has installed the stainless Newfound Metal portlights, the 7x15s. Boy are they pretty. Compared to my bronze 7x14s they seem to let in a lot more light. And they have four dogs each, two on the bottom and one on each side. Wish I had waited.
Ed, is Tom's portlight project
posted anywhere? An archive search on "newfound" only turned up your project. Scott
posted anywhere? An archive search on "newfound" only turned up your project. Scott
Check the photo archives
There is a very good article in the photo archives. I printed it out & will use when we replace the portlights on our 79 Hunter 30. Great step by step instructions & photos. We plan to stick with Gray (now Bomar/Gray) so that we don't have to resize the openings. The best prices around are on Sailnet. They usually have a sale a couple times a year but even without the sale the prices a WAY less than if you call Gray Indust directly. By the way, I don't know what Hunter used for a sealant but the old portlights don't come out without a fight. No leaks.
There is a very good article in the photo archives. I printed it out & will use when we replace the portlights on our 79 Hunter 30. Great step by step instructions & photos. We plan to stick with Gray (now Bomar/Gray) so that we don't have to resize the openings. The best prices around are on Sailnet. They usually have a sale a couple times a year but even without the sale the prices a WAY less than if you call Gray Indust directly. By the way, I don't know what Hunter used for a sealant but the old portlights don't come out without a fight. No leaks.
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