Leaking port lights

[daverippetoe]

I have a 1990 Hunter Legend 35.5 and am having a horrible time getting the overhead ports to seal. I've disassembled, cleaned, smoothed, and tried several different sealants. Was wondering if anyone had just glassed these in altogether.
Thoughts? Suggestions much appreciated.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

What material is the frame and/or port made out of?

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

As per @Project_Mayhem. Also exactly "where" is the leak coming from ......... the gasketed surface or around the aluminum frame ?

Details, details, details. That's the only way anyone can supply a solution to the problem. Pictures will also help if you can't supply the make and model of the overhead "hatches." Ports are in hulls or cabin walls.

 

[daverippetoe]

No metal framing at all. Just like a heavy tinted plexiglass outside, held against the recessed frame with what originally was a black flexible sealant with 6 screws. As to where the leak is coming from, very hard to tell. Interior is a frosted clear plastic lense, fastened with screws, no gasket or sealant.
Yeah, didn't call it a hatch because it doesn't open. More like skylights.

Thanks.

 

[daverippetoe]

I'll get pics when I get to my boat next.

 

[fred1diver]

On my old boat I used 1 inch 3M cub tape to hold the windows in place and just ran a bead of sealant around the edges and never had a leak

 

[Project_Mayhem]

The typical method to seal these windows is to use Dow 795 (correct me if I have the wrong number) and VHB to hold it in place while the 795 cures. You can use screws but they often lead to cracks in the future. Boatworkstoday has some videos on this exact proceedure. I suggest adhering some scrap material at the edges of your window before removing it so you can use them as a positioning guide during re-installation. VHB will come off. Use a hairdryer if necessary

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

I'll get pics when I get to my boat next.

Good. Some closeup interior and exterior shots of the sealed areas should give all a better idea. If you have .JPG editor, an arrow pointing to the leaks will go a long way towards helping.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

If memory serves me as a Hunter dealer back then, those were fixed skylight windows held in place with Dow 795 sealant held in place temporarily for a week or more to give the sealant time to dry . Screws were to hold the window in place and then backed out after the sealant dryed out. Screw holes were then sealed. I did see screws left in but they had to be smaller than the holes to prevent from cracking the skylight.