I'm intimidated by this job, because I'm worried I'll get the old one off and the new one won't fit and then I'll be trying to scramble to find one that fits and get it delivered while my portlight is wide open, it's going to get colder, and the vampires can get in.
So yeah, I have a 1985 Hunter 40. They were made using Gray Enterprises portlights. (you probably knew this)
The website says to measure the outside of the lens from side to side to determine its size. https://shop.sailboatowners.com/gray.php
I did so, and I get 14 and 13/16ths inches (possibly 7/8ths of an inch)
When I look up the sizes (also on the above link) I see "414" which is Lens dimensions 14-1/2 inch which is smaller, or "715" Lens dimensions 15-5/8 inch which is larger.
The size "715" goes into 8ths of an inch (others go to the 16th), so it's not like the 14 1/2 inch was just a rough estimate. I'm also assuming that they get down to the 16ths because they don't allow much wiggle room.
But having never done this, does that mean I need to buy a larger size and dremel the openings to fit a 15 5/8ths " portlight? Or can I buy one that is slightly smaller by 5/16ths of an inch and it won't have a gap through which the vampires can get in?
Or should I switch brands to one that will fit without having to do fiberglass surgery?
So yeah, I have a 1985 Hunter 40. They were made using Gray Enterprises portlights. (you probably knew this)
The website says to measure the outside of the lens from side to side to determine its size. https://shop.sailboatowners.com/gray.php
I did so, and I get 14 and 13/16ths inches (possibly 7/8ths of an inch)
When I look up the sizes (also on the above link) I see "414" which is Lens dimensions 14-1/2 inch which is smaller, or "715" Lens dimensions 15-5/8 inch which is larger.
The size "715" goes into 8ths of an inch (others go to the 16th), so it's not like the 14 1/2 inch was just a rough estimate. I'm also assuming that they get down to the 16ths because they don't allow much wiggle room.
But having never done this, does that mean I need to buy a larger size and dremel the openings to fit a 15 5/8ths " portlight? Or can I buy one that is slightly smaller by 5/16ths of an inch and it won't have a gap through which the vampires can get in?
Or should I switch brands to one that will fit without having to do fiberglass surgery?
