My wife and I sail a 1978 O'Day 30, with the plastic framed fixed ports in the salon. Does anyone have suggestions for replacing these? Over the years the plastic has gotten brittle, and the ports leak constantly, inspite of repeated re-bedding. there's got to be a better solution!
O'Day 30 fixed ports
- Thread starter jhcavalla
- Start date
Hello jhcavalla, Great boats those Oday 30s. We owned a '79 K/CB model that we sold about 4 years ago. We rebedded the fixed ports too, but I don't remember having any particular trouble with the frames. I do remember using liquid soap around the cabin side beyond where the frame ended. That kept the caulk from adhering and smearing out beyond where it was useful.
However, on an Irwin 31 (coincidentally named Seahorse) we built wooden frames to surround the fixed ports. The wooden frames followed the contour of the port and overlapped both the cabin side and the plastic of the port. Bedding those frames well ended the concern about leaking ports on that boat. The frames were attached by thru bolts on the cabin side. If that sounds like a project that you would like to know more about, send me a reply using the Private Message option, and I will explain more clearly what I did.
However, on an Irwin 31 (coincidentally named Seahorse) we built wooden frames to surround the fixed ports. The wooden frames followed the contour of the port and overlapped both the cabin side and the plastic of the port. Bedding those frames well ended the concern about leaking ports on that boat. The frames were attached by thru bolts on the cabin side. If that sounds like a project that you would like to know more about, send me a reply using the Private Message option, and I will explain more clearly what I did.
This is has been covered here in good detail. Search in the o'day forum, theres lots of pics. You get new portlights, 3m vhb tape 1/8'' thick, black dow 795 caulk, DEI hi-temp silicone coating and they will look MUCH better than new and stay leak free.
Good luck, an easy one day project once you have the new windows ready to install.
Good luck, an easy one day project once you have the new windows ready to install.
Found it!
http://forums.oday.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=165946
If I can do it, anyone can do it.
http://forums.oday.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=165946
If I can do it, anyone can do it.
Also this: http://www.sailmagazine.com/boatworks/replacing-fixed-portlights
Not sure what to say about the "plastic frame" you reference. Perhaps Rudy at D&R Marine can help you regarding the cracked frames.
Not sure what to say about the "plastic frame" you reference. Perhaps Rudy at D&R Marine can help you regarding the cracked frames.