I bought a 1980 H-37c this winter and have been living on now for a couple of months. Love the boat. It's time to replace those awful plastic ports. For those of you who have already done that project, could you tell me the brand / model of the replacement ports you opted for? Thanks!
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Bronze Ports
John: I have replaced all of my ports. I went to Bronze units with real glass. The cost of all ten units was $1,800.00. However I will never replace them again. The bronze really makes the boat look good. I found the units on the net at New Found Metals. newfoundmetals.com . Before I installed them, I "painted them with a product called Super Shield, from Shield Products. Ph. 904-880-6060. The ports still look new after 8 months. If you need any more information please feel free to call me at 504-649-3945 or e-mail me at bilyoung@bellsouth.net. Bill
John: I have replaced all of my ports. I went to Bronze units with real glass. The cost of all ten units was $1,800.00. However I will never replace them again. The bronze really makes the boat look good. I found the units on the net at New Found Metals. newfoundmetals.com . Before I installed them, I "painted them with a product called Super Shield, from Shield Products. Ph. 904-880-6060. The ports still look new after 8 months. If you need any more information please feel free to call me at 504-649-3945 or e-mail me at bilyoung@bellsouth.net. Bill
I have bronze ports
Also bronze cleats and other hardware. After the supershield wears off, the bronze will turn the green that bronze turns. And then last thirty years without maintenance or problem, if you bedded them well. (And if your fifty-year old boat is then scrapped for parts, someone will remove those bronze ports and put them into another boat, for another thirty years of service.) Old and green, they work and look worlds better than plastic.
Also bronze cleats and other hardware. After the supershield wears off, the bronze will turn the green that bronze turns. And then last thirty years without maintenance or problem, if you bedded them well. (And if your fifty-year old boat is then scrapped for parts, someone will remove those bronze ports and put them into another boat, for another thirty years of service.) Old and green, they work and look worlds better than plastic.
New Found Metals Bronze
I replaced all of my ports on my 1980 37C with bronze ports from New Found Metals also and they are great. No more leaks or cracks. The new models that have posts on the back of the trim ring are a bit more trouble to install but are much better than than the older ones where the bolts went through the trim ring. The only problem is you have to drill holes for the posts to go in. I made a pattern out of plastic for each size port and used it to locate the holes. Be careful that the pattern fits all of the ports. I found on the smaller ones that there were two slightly different patterns (about 1/8 inch different). They are definitely worth the time and money. Jerry s/v Makai
I replaced all of my ports on my 1980 37C with bronze ports from New Found Metals also and they are great. No more leaks or cracks. The new models that have posts on the back of the trim ring are a bit more trouble to install but are much better than than the older ones where the bolts went through the trim ring. The only problem is you have to drill holes for the posts to go in. I made a pattern out of plastic for each size port and used it to locate the holes. Be careful that the pattern fits all of the ports. I found on the smaller ones that there were two slightly different patterns (about 1/8 inch different). They are definitely worth the time and money. Jerry s/v Makai
Another Option
Faced with the same problem, I replaced the plastic with polished Stainless Steel ports. The cost is about the same, (my ten ports cost $1,770 two years ago). They are beautiful! Maintenance is zero. No clear coating needed; just wipe with a damp cloth and they look like a mirror. E-mail me for source if you're interested.
Faced with the same problem, I replaced the plastic with polished Stainless Steel ports. The cost is about the same, (my ten ports cost $1,770 two years ago). They are beautiful! Maintenance is zero. No clear coating needed; just wipe with a damp cloth and they look like a mirror. E-mail me for source if you're interested.
Dave RE: source of ports
Hi Dave - That info would be so important to so many people, would you be willing to post it here? It would certainly not be any breach of the forum policies. Thanks! ph.
Hi Dave - That info would be so important to so many people, would you be willing to post it here? It would certainly not be any breach of the forum policies. Thanks! ph.
Phil & Dave
Hey, what would really be great is to see a photo shoot of these S.S. ports. Maybe next year we could have a Sports Illistrated fold out too.<haha>. Seriously how about a picture or two.
Hey, what would really be great is to see a photo shoot of these S.S. ports. Maybe next year we could have a Sports Illistrated fold out too.<haha>. Seriously how about a picture or two.
Phil, et al
I'd be happy to share the source (I have no interest, I'm just a happy customer). Jim Lamb MMI 2633 W. Pac Cst Hwy Newport Beach, CA 92663 (714) 631-0518 These (5x12 and 7x15) are almost a direct replacement for the original ports. I paid about $1800 for the ten ports three years ago, so they are probably higher now, but WELL worth the price. Nothing has enhanced the appearance (and livability) of our boat nearly so much as the installation of these very high-quality ports.
I'd be happy to share the source (I have no interest, I'm just a happy customer). Jim Lamb MMI 2633 W. Pac Cst Hwy Newport Beach, CA 92663 (714) 631-0518 These (5x12 and 7x15) are almost a direct replacement for the original ports. I paid about $1800 for the ten ports three years ago, so they are probably higher now, but WELL worth the price. Nothing has enhanced the appearance (and livability) of our boat nearly so much as the installation of these very high-quality ports.
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