I want to replace four ports - 2 on each side of the salon - with these Beckson Ports. The 90/45 and 90/75 matches the existing ports. I was thinking about at least one pair of opening ports to increase ventilation on our Starwind 27. We use the boat for lake sailing now, hopefully coastal cruising in the future. Any opinions on opening ports?
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Rain-drains are great.
Neat stuff on the link! Take lots of pictures for us and don't forget the projects forum.
Neat stuff on the link! Take lots of pictures for us and don't forget the projects forum.
Opening ports are great
Even with the major deck ports open opening side ports helps in hot weather. If there are bugs about it helps to close the main companion way and open the side ports. You have to be careful as they break!!! I don't know the life expectancy but I had to replace all four Beckson lenses on my ports in the last couple of years. The rubber gaskets also age and may start leaking. But to me the extra ventilation is worth the trouble and expense.
Even with the major deck ports open opening side ports helps in hot weather. If there are bugs about it helps to close the main companion way and open the side ports. You have to be careful as they break!!! I don't know the life expectancy but I had to replace all four Beckson lenses on my ports in the last couple of years. The rubber gaskets also age and may start leaking. But to me the extra ventilation is worth the trouble and expense.
Do these fit Catalina 27's
The ports look like they might fit a Catalina 27, older ones (70's). Do they? The site doesn't specify.
The ports look like they might fit a Catalina 27, older ones (70's). Do they? The site doesn't specify.
Oday 28 Fixed & Open Ports
Hi I want to replace my 2 (each side) fixed ports with either new glass/plastic or with ports that open, any suggestions/instructions/plans? Thanx!
Hi I want to replace my 2 (each side) fixed ports with either new glass/plastic or with ports that open, any suggestions/instructions/plans? Thanx!
The Beckson plastic lights with dogs in my
C270 actually are easier to get a good seal on than some similar glass ones. They do scratch and you do need to replace the gaskets occassionally. And they may not drain completely (depending on angle) just sitting at the dock in the rain, you get a little water inside if you forget and open them without rockin' the boat a little. Good news is that the replacement lights and gaskets are readily available, not expensive and easy to do. Can't get enough openings in a warm climate, lights forward of beam will usually have to be closed on windward side in anything but very benign conditions when sailing
C270 actually are easier to get a good seal on than some similar glass ones. They do scratch and you do need to replace the gaskets occassionally. And they may not drain completely (depending on angle) just sitting at the dock in the rain, you get a little water inside if you forget and open them without rockin' the boat a little. Good news is that the replacement lights and gaskets are readily available, not expensive and easy to do. Can't get enough openings in a warm climate, lights forward of beam will usually have to be closed on windward side in anything but very benign conditions when sailing
Opening Ports
Scott From my experience, you really have two choices: Lewmar or Beckson. Beckson makes the rain drain, which you'll NEED if your cabin trunk slopes [more than 15 degrees] or [at all!]. The advantages of the Becksons is that they are still made and have great support and parts. The downside is that some think they don't look as "cool" as the Lewmars, because of their outside thicker trim rings. While Lewmars are still made, they do keep changing sizes. The screens seem to work better on the Becksons. We have eight opening Becksons rain drain 5x12s on our boat and I am very pleased with them. The 1986 C34s had all Becksons. The 1987 and later C34s have six Lewmars in the cabin, and two Becksons in the cockpit to ventilate the aft cabin. Here's a bit longer discussion: http://c34.org/bbs/index.php?topic=2979.0 Click on the links in my posts there for even more info. Opening ports are great. Our C25 didn't have them, and we wish she had. The Beckson site also has installation instructions, as I recall. Most portlight vendors have installation manuals on their sites. Stu
Scott From my experience, you really have two choices: Lewmar or Beckson. Beckson makes the rain drain, which you'll NEED if your cabin trunk slopes [more than 15 degrees] or [at all!]. The advantages of the Becksons is that they are still made and have great support and parts. The downside is that some think they don't look as "cool" as the Lewmars, because of their outside thicker trim rings. While Lewmars are still made, they do keep changing sizes. The screens seem to work better on the Becksons. We have eight opening Becksons rain drain 5x12s on our boat and I am very pleased with them. The 1986 C34s had all Becksons. The 1987 and later C34s have six Lewmars in the cabin, and two Becksons in the cockpit to ventilate the aft cabin. Here's a bit longer discussion: http://c34.org/bbs/index.php?topic=2979.0 Click on the links in my posts there for even more info. Opening ports are great. Our C25 didn't have them, and we wish she had. The Beckson site also has installation instructions, as I recall. Most portlight vendors have installation manuals on their sites. Stu
Thanks All! 
I was looking for confirmation that adding a couple of opening ports would be a good idea! I can't tell by any markings on the old ports if they are Beckson or not, but it seems like the dimensions from the website are exactly the same as mine on the boat as near as I can tell. I would much rather be able to fit a replicate than adapt an opening in the trunk wall to fit something else! The wall does slope so the rain drains will be the ticket. The old trim rings are cracked and the windows are crazed, so replacements are in order and it will be good to eliminate the small leaks.
I was looking for confirmation that adding a couple of opening ports would be a good idea! I can't tell by any markings on the old ports if they are Beckson or not, but it seems like the dimensions from the website are exactly the same as mine on the boat as near as I can tell. I would much rather be able to fit a replicate than adapt an opening in the trunk wall to fit something else! The wall does slope so the rain drains will be the ticket. The old trim rings are cracked and the windows are crazed, so replacements are in order and it will be good to eliminate the small leaks.
Remember the spacers
Scott, Beckson has window spacers that can be installed between the lens and the frame. The spacer is used in lieu of the screen and offers a better seal than no screen.
Scott, Beckson has window spacers that can be installed between the lens and the frame. The spacer is used in lieu of the screen and offers a better seal than no screen.
opening, and Beckson has the screen thingys
For any port above the deck there's no safety issue about opening ports and each extra one is, believe me, a gift from the ventilation gods!... While they may not work for the long units you pictured in the link, most standard ports can benefit from those plastic screen inserts that Beckson makes for theirs that allows the port to stay open in the rain because there's a plastic shield over the open screen part. I've been able to modify them to work with my New Found Metals "Trimatrix" ports.
For any port above the deck there's no safety issue about opening ports and each extra one is, believe me, a gift from the ventilation gods!... While they may not work for the long units you pictured in the link, most standard ports can benefit from those plastic screen inserts that Beckson makes for theirs that allows the port to stay open in the rain because there's a plastic shield over the open screen part. I've been able to modify them to work with my New Found Metals "Trimatrix" ports.
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