The Gray porthole on our H31 protrudes into the cockpit. The surveyor recommended modifying it by shaving back the flange so it's flush with the trim ring. He said it could be done (off the boat) using a router. It can't. So has anyone done this? It seems like a planer would have worked better. Thanks for your input to help me keep from screwing up the new porthole.
Modifying cockpit porthole
- Thread starter McZube
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Is it in your way? We have two Beckson ports like that, and have never had any issues. Sometimes surveyors have too much (of your) time on their hands. 
Have you tried a saw? Harder to make a straight cut, but it can be done. Only other choice I see is to buy a Lewmar port which doesn't stick out, but you'd have to deal with the size of the port and the hole.
Good luck.
Have you tried a saw? Harder to make a straight cut, but it can be done. Only other choice I see is to buy a Lewmar port which doesn't stick out, but you'd have to deal with the size of the port and the hole.
Good luck.
The only problem with those ports is that they can bite your ankles. A belt sander will do a nice job. You should place a piece of plywood on the cockpit sole to prevent any possible damage.
We took the cockpit port in our H37 out since we didn't use it and covered the hole with a piece of hard plasltic. Caulked it good so no water would get in the quarter berth. The quarter berth has an overhead hatch and we don't sleep in it, so port not important. We are going to have someone fiberglass the hole this summer. My husband would kick the port with his heel and bleed all over the cockpit.
A Dremel rotary tool with the little circular saw blade will work. It'll take a bit of time to make the cut but this is a good way to get an accurate cut. Don't build up too much heat as plastics get hot, flow and stick back together.
Dress it up with a sanding block.
Dress it up with a sanding block.
Exactly. The porthole is between the quarter berth and the cockpit, which puts it at ankle level in the cockpit. The flange has a piece broken out already so there's a jagged edge on it. I want to cut the flange back to prevent injury to ankles.
I'll be ordering a new porthole later today. Thanks for your input and suggestions.
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