Just purchased a 1981 H-30. I need to rebed the ports, most all leak and its not the gaskets. How do I loosen the port enough to get silicone in to form a gasket? I can't seem to loosen the ports. More pressure and I feel sure I will break something. Any Ideas?
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Working on the same project
Danny, We have a 79 H30 and are in the process of installing all new portlights. I guess we got lucky in that we had no problems with leaking. When we removed our old portlights the exterior trim rings did not come off intact. Mind you, we weren't exactly trying to get them off intact, but the sealant was so tenacious and the trim ring so brittle that saving them would have been impossible. The original portlights were manufactured by Gray Industries and are still available. We ordered ours from Sailnet.com. As a matter of fact, the BOMG512AD27 portlights (size of 4 smallest)are on sale right now for $59.00. That's a white frame with clear lens. Maybe you could order just the exterior trim ring, but you would have to fill all the holes because the new trim rings aren't screwed in place, they are held in place by sealant. Good luck.
Danny, We have a 79 H30 and are in the process of installing all new portlights. I guess we got lucky in that we had no problems with leaking. When we removed our old portlights the exterior trim rings did not come off intact. Mind you, we weren't exactly trying to get them off intact, but the sealant was so tenacious and the trim ring so brittle that saving them would have been impossible. The original portlights were manufactured by Gray Industries and are still available. We ordered ours from Sailnet.com. As a matter of fact, the BOMG512AD27 portlights (size of 4 smallest)are on sale right now for $59.00. That's a white frame with clear lens. Maybe you could order just the exterior trim ring, but you would have to fill all the holes because the new trim rings aren't screwed in place, they are held in place by sealant. Good luck.
You are about to open a can of worms.
What Tammy is now doing, I did several seasons ago. The leaks that you see is nothing next to what is going down between the exterior and interior fiberglass shell. My guess is you will have extensive core damage beneath the ports. Press on the the cabin side underneath the port. If you have play, you have problems. The quicker you pull out your ports and replace, the better for your boat. I would recommend the smoke lens as you are not in Maine and will have the La sun to deal with. Good luck.
What Tammy is now doing, I did several seasons ago. The leaks that you see is nothing next to what is going down between the exterior and interior fiberglass shell. My guess is you will have extensive core damage beneath the ports. Press on the the cabin side underneath the port. If you have play, you have problems. The quicker you pull out your ports and replace, the better for your boat. I would recommend the smoke lens as you are not in Maine and will have the La sun to deal with. Good luck.
Ian is right. If you're ports have been leaking, you should remove the ports, dig out the wet wood, fill with epoxy and then replace the port. Here's a link to a project in the Photo forum
A little heat will help
I had to replace a broken portlight last year on my 1980 H30. I found that my wife's electric hair dryer helped to loosen the (unknown) bonding material that held the port in place. Alternating between the inside and outside of the port I was able to get the port and the trim ring off with gentle pressure.
I had to replace a broken portlight last year on my 1980 H30. I found that my wife's electric hair dryer helped to loosen the (unknown) bonding material that held the port in place. Alternating between the inside and outside of the port I was able to get the port and the trim ring off with gentle pressure.
Cable cutter tool
Not my idea, but I used it to remove my Bowmar/Gray ports without damage, including trim rings. I then replaced them and tossed the old ones, which needed new lenses anyway.
Not my idea, but I used it to remove my Bowmar/Gray ports without damage, including trim rings. I then replaced them and tossed the old ones, which needed new lenses anyway.
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