I got this information from the Hunter 31-34 list, courtsey of Roger Mummah.I made some phone calls today to try to break the code on getting replacements for the fixed ports on a Hunter 31. Other Hunter models have similar ports so I thought this info might be helpful, especially for those of us who own the more mature boats. There are as far as I can tell, three parts to the port: The frame (aluminum or plastic), the Acrylic plastic stuff and the rubber gasket material. My ports (H31, 1983, hull #58) are approximately 7 1/2" high, bottom deminsion (one closest to the water) is approximately 44" and the top deminsion (one closest to the sky) is approximately 29". I am told the material is 1/4" Acrylic. I was helped by Joe Kerr (Customer Service & Warranty x3038) and Mike Thomas (Retail Sales x3015) at Hunter Marine (800)771-5556. Both are very helpful if they are asked resonable questions. Evidently the first ports for the boats had aluminum frames made by Go Industries. Go went! No longer available. Go was evidently bought buy, or replaced by Mark Plastics, 369 East Harrison St. #G, Corona, CA 91719. I spoke with Mark Heacox who is the Mark in Mark Plastics. He said Hunter switched to a plastic frames at some point and that is what he can supply. To get the windows, one needs to call Mark at (909)735-7705 to discuss measurements because he said no two boats are exactly alike. He can also talk about enlarging the size of the port. His ports are complete assemblies. As I said, they have plastic frames and they are $180 each plus packaging and shipping. He said if 3 or so people order at the same time he can offer a discount of 20%. So that's $360 + packaging and shipping. I called a local plastic company and they said the material (Acrylic - bronze or grey tint - 1/4" thick) 44" x 8" would cost $20 each, not counting any labor. Labor to cut the stuff must be quoted after they see the original piece. That means I pull the entire assembly, get the Acrylic piece out and take the whole pile of stuff to them. They don't install the Acrylic and they have no idea where to get the rubber gasket stuff. So we're talking $40 for two pieces of Acrylic that I may be able to cut and install myself. I called another shop that claims to be big in the marine business. They quoted me approximately $17 per window and $25 labor, for a total of $84. That still leaves me with the challenge of finding the rubber stuff and installing the Acrylic in the frame. $84 is still way better than $360 (unless perhaps if one uses "the new math"). Tasks still to be accomplished: 1. Talk to a real boat port repair guy. I lost his card, but will try to find him. Maybe he can tell me about the rubber. 2. Find out where to get the rubber stuff. Any body got any hints as to how to find it? One more thing? I think I remember seeing Hunter 31's, 34's and 40's that had/have the Acrylic fastened to the outside of the cabin. The Acrylic folks said this is much stronger because they use 1/2" material instead of 1/4" and additional strength is provided by the overlap of the Acrylic around the perimeter of the cabin opening. The Acrylic would have to be sealed and a pretty trim piece would have to be fabricated on the inside to hide the core between the inside and outside layers of fiberglass. Any ideas? Any information regarding replacing these ports would be appreciated by at least me, and I suspect others. Any help on the newer models that may or may not have the Acrylic screwed to the outside of the cabin would be appreciated - especially stuff like, has it really been done that way - how thick is the Acrylic, how is it mounted and sealed, and what is used to trim the inside of the port frame opening.
