Hunter 22 fixed portholes/windows

[SDLars]

My son has a Hunter 22 ('84) that he is bringing back to life. There is much information on this site for novices like us but we're wondering about the angular fixed windows on each side of the cabin. Is there supposed to some kind of trim or flange that fits around the edge of the window or are they supposed to be just sealed and fastened to the cabin wall? How did they come from the factory? We haven't been able to find a picture that details this feature. The old ones were just screwed to the cabin with black sealant beneath them. Seems like there must be a better way. Thanks much for your help!

 

[ksetchfield]

Mine look factory original and they are just sealed & screwed. Not a very seaworthy way of doing things, but adequate for protected waters and nice days. Mine are all crazed and I may be replacing them soon too.

Kristopher Setchfield

 

[LDM]

My '81 H22 came with a rubber gasket around these lites. It was screwed to the inside of the cabin and the inner and outer pieces of the gasket were screwed together. When I got the boat a year ago, the 28-year-old sealant had failed and water had been pouring in. I removed the gasket and crazed plexiglas, cut the gasket to remove just the outside portion, re-installed the interior gasket, and replaced the lites with grey tinted Lexan by sealing and screwing an oversize piece to the outside of the cabin. The look is a little more updated and......no more leaks.

 

[ChrisM]

I just started replacing the port lights on my 85 H23, and here is what I found: My port lights had an aluminum edge surrounding them that takes screws down the center of the channel. A vinyl strip slips into the channel to cover the screws. All but 1 section of the vinyl channel was missing. After I removed the channel by removing out all of the screws , I began the process of separating the port light. As I was separating the port light, I could here crackling and snapping sounds coming from underneath the plexi-glass. I thought it was just the silicone sealant separating from the boat. it was actually the sound of gelcoat being separated from the fiberglass, and some delamination of the fiberglass layers. I figured out what was going on, so I was able to limit any further damage by using an extremely long knife to separate the glass from the silicone sealant. I am going to saturate the areas where the fiberglass delaminated with epoxy and clamp it tight to repair the fiberglass, and I am going to patch the gelcoat where it separated from the fiberglass. Fortunately, all of this will be under the area of the new port light installation, and will be buried in sealant.

I do have a couple of questions, what successful techniques have any of you used to removed the port lights without damaging the underlying material?

Any good sources for the grey smoke Lexan? Can you buy it pre-cut?

I'm also looking for a good source for black marine silicone sealant to re-set the port lights.

Regards,

Chris

 

[LDM]

I bought the grey Lexan from the local glass shop. A 9 x 48 inch piece was $45. Enough for one side. I made a template from 3/4 inch plywood and used a router to shape and roundover the edges. Being a woodworker with the necessary tools made it relatively easy. I am not familiar with the style of the H23 fixed lites. The '81 H22 is angled front and back and this dark 'glas overlayed on the outside of the cabin suits its design.