Options for fixed ports (Large Ports)

[rtyszka]

Ok, I have been looking at this from every angle and am at a stand still.

I want to keep the boat as origional as possible and have the glass for the windows (trim is MIA). From talking to the origional owner, he had nothing but complaints about these windows (because of the arch of the cabin sides the glass does not seat well).

I am considering using Lexan and actually bolting the glass to the cabin side. This is what I saw on a 70's Bristol. The glass actually overlaps the opening by 1-2" and seals to the cabin wall, thus no leaks.

Other option, have Lexan or glass made and have alum frames made to fit the glass and cabin sides (costly though)

What are thoughts and ideas????

 

[TomY]

I'm afraid I won't be much help.

I too have thought this through many times. I've rebedded the exisiting glass. I had no problem bedding and sealing(curvature didn't seem to effect fit) it but the wood moulding is tricky. I was able to reuse all pieces but the next time(over 5 years ago-no leaks yet but soon will strip cabinsides)I will have to re cut some of these mouldings.

Despite the fact that the plate glass could easily break, these ports are one of my favorite features of this boat. The interior is bright, so much so that curtains are mandatory. I may replace the glazing with thicker glass but will stay with the mouldings as I think their delicate profile standing proud of the cabin adds alot to the boats appearance. I'm a coastal sailor-I judge these safe for what I do.

My boat is fitted with storm shutters which I have never used. Bronze threaded inserts are let into the cabin around these ports. I don't know if I would trust them but they are there. For more a serious off shore stint, I would look into covering these ports.

Lexan would be easy to cut and fit into the opening. A frame would make a better seal would be easy to rebed etc. Through bolting would work but my require alot of bolts to keep it sealed.

I'm interested to see if anyone else has changed the glazing and how they have held it in. Did you get a price on having metal frames built up.

Everyone onboard marvels at the views from these ports.

http://mysite.verizon.net/vzeofej4/site ... /ports.jpg

 

[Anonymous]

We have the same big, fixed glass ports on the Le Comte NE 38. They're retained in place from the inside with rather ugly plywood trim, bedded, screwed and bunged. They've been rebedded once and are not leaking. Interesting to hear you mull materials; the ports on Q are 1/4" tempered glass; there's a little etched label, Securit, just like many European cars. There's no reason that you cannot have new port glazing made using tempered or safety glass. Advantage of safety glass is the butyl interlayer so that the glass will tend to stay in the opening if you break it. If you read Coles' 'Heavy Weather Sailing', you will recall that the whole wood cabin top structure and the large ports are vulnerable at sea. Happily, we're all likely to be coastal sailors and will get away with it.

On Quetzal, the head port opens; the very cute detail is that a bronze-framed port is mounted inside the exterior fiberglass shell so that it looks like the rest of the fixed ports from the outside.

 

[TomY]

Good info Doug. I did look into safety glass.

A local glass co. uses alot of safety glass with our large fleet of lobster boats. He said that the glass would hold together even if broken. I'm not sure how much pressure it would take after it fractured but it would keep water out until it did let go. He said it would fracture more easily than the same thickness of solid. He also talked about the extra strength in thickness of plate or better still tempered glass. However, if impacted,(spinnaker pole of other sharp end?) either of these would fall apart and leave you with a big hole.

Of course, Lexan would be the strongest but is so prone to scratching. I've used alot of Lexan including replacing the plexi on my hatches. It's easy to work with and a half sheet of 1/4" might be enough. (200.00?)If you made it easy to rebedd, replacement would be easy as well.