leaky opening ports

[Ron]

I have a 1996 440 and the opening ports look like they all leak from the rear closing lever. I have tightened the set screws behind the trim,have replaced the rubbber seals and even siliconed around the seals but it keeps dripping in the same spot. Any suggestions?

 

[HenryV]

a solution I found

I had the leaks in a couple ports on my boat and there does not seem to be anything to adjust so I got some sealing putty - the kind that never hardens - and rolled it into long thin strips like kids do when making play dough snakes. I put the strip between the rubber seal and the frame of the port while the port was open - then when you close the port it presses the rubber into the sealant until it forms to a point where the compression of the rubber is still enough to seal on the lexan. Since the sealant is not touching the port it still opens and closes as before. It seems to be working and since the sealant remains soft I can remove it and redo the process if leaks come back.

 

[Robert Freeland II]

Ron, I have a 1995 Oceanis 440 that has exactly the same problem. I've tried Vaseline on the gaskets, but without much luck. It appears to me that the seals between the gaskets and the plexi are quite good, but that the water is coming in through the frame of the latch itself. I haven't found the time yet to experiment with my boat, but I suspect that once we find the right spot, it will take a very small amount of well-placed silicon to fix the problem.On the plus side, the boat otherwise seems to be VERY dry. Even after heavy rains or tropical storms, the bilge never accumulates enough water to trip the bilge pump. During the dry season, I've actually found the bilge DRY!

 

[Ron]

leeky ports Rob L.

I hae tried the vasaline and liquid candle wax on the rubber seal but none worked. If you figure it out let me know, other wise its a great boat.