PORT LIGHTS (and pic of boat)

[SEADANCE]

Hi, Its me I found two leaky port lights yesterday during our thunderstorm that cancelled our trip to Ship Island. I also found that some of the others have dogs on them that are about to go or are busted. Would you recommend that I go to a glass shop and have them cut plexiglass and remove all the ports until we can replace all (11) of them? What sealant would you use? I've read in the archives that the 5200 is very hard to remove.There are several things we would like to do to the boat first such as: paint the deck, re-new the teak and replace all of her lines.P.S. I spent 2 days de-funking every inch of her and she smells and looks very nice insideB/Seadance

 

[NYSail]

No 5200!

Do not use 5200.....What kind of ports are they? Beckson recommends marine grade silicone and that is what my wife used on ours. Pull the ones that are leaking and rebed them. Clean all the old funk, rebed and reset them in. Remember, more sealant does not mean better. Prep and properly place sealant will do the job!Good LuckGreg

 

[Maine Sail]

Don't...

Don't paint the decks with a one part paint! If the decks are gelcoat a good cleaning and a compound will do wonders. The only way I would ever consider painting a deck is with an LPU or Linear Poly Urethane like AwlGrip. Now if the P.O. already painted them you have nothing to lose but if it's original gel coat it CAN be salvaged in most cases. I looked at two boats this winter that were in fairly decent shape except for the fact that the owners painted them with one part paint. I walked away....DO NOT use any polysulfide on plastic port lights! I hate silicone but it's one of the only thing to use if you have the "Beckson" style port lights. I actually prefer Butyl tape. Before using silicone tape off around the window to within 1/16th of an inch by dry fitting the port light and taping the perimeter. Then remove it, apply the silicone, and bolt it to the cabin. Wipe off any residue and then remove the tape. Silicone is not good stuff on a boat because there is NOTHING that can remove it and if at some point you need to do repair work nothing will stick to where silicone was...

 

[Joseph Rheubeck]

Portlight Problems

Seadance,Your picture looks like a 33' Cherubini designed Hunter, nice boat, ours is an 81. You probably have Gray Marine portlights you can get replacement gaskets, lenses frames and dogs for them. If you need a short term way to fix leaks you can put a small bead of clear bathtub silicone caulk on the black gasket in the frame and close the port and leave it shut, the silicone will peel off later with out too much trouble. If the boat is a "long term" addition new ports are in your future. Then your options are only limited by ambition and budget! We put in 11 NewFound Metals all stainless ports last year, (The change from crazed tinted platic to clear tempered glass is astounding! [The change in your bank balance is also astounding!] )Check the Photo/Project Forum for more ideas.

 

[Brian D]

Sweet boat...

in an empty marina. Well done Seadance.

 

[allen13458]

Marina

Whats up with the empty marina on the ms. coast.

 

[Ross in Tampa]

WTG...

Way to go, I am so incredibly excited for you all. Congratulations, she certainly does look sweet. I wish that we could have hooked up when you all were in Tampa, maybe next time.congratulations, and full sails to you.Ross in Tampa1979 Oday 25 "Lola"

 

[Okiman]

Go with Trimatrix

Do yourself a BIG favor and junk the ports you now have. I have the same style boat you do and I replaced all 11 ports with Trimatrix ports from newfoundmetals.com. The cost is very reasonable compared to the cheap ports that came with the boat. I have had my ports installed for a year now, did it myself, and have had not one problem with them. They do NOT require caulking and are thru bolted and have their own gasket/seal that really works. The dogs are stainless steel and the gasket around the thick plexiglas are real beefy and do NOT leak.Good luck.

 

[Okiman]

Main Sail Furler

I would appreciate it if you could share any information concerning the main sail furling system you have on your boat. I have a 1978 HC33 and have often wondered how I could install a furler and keep the mast I have. My email address if okiboat@yahoo.com. I u have any close up photos I would like to see them. Thanks in advance. Okiman

 

[Idratherbesailing]

SeaDance..Article link in archives

http://www.sailboatowners.com/upload/display.tpl?folder=73127723759&fno=17SeaDance...the above is a link to an article in the archives about replacing the portlights in a H33. In case the link doesn't work, the article is entitled replacing portlights and the author is Terry Arnold. Almost anything Terry wrote about the H33 is very good, and he usually documented with pictures.Good Luck

 

[Chris Burti]

Ports first, decks later

The leaking ports will drive you crazy! Mildew will run rampant. You will not be able leave your stuff aboard and the stuff you do leave will get wet and moldy. Inevitably, the drips will always find you in your sleep. Nothing will discourage you more than having to spend a couple of hours cleaning up and hauling stuff back and forth every time you go out.On the other hand...that IS why the Admiral insisted on a newer boat <grin>

 

[ClewLess]

Allen

I don't know but in April I was told if I did not jump on it I would go to the bottom of the list. If I would have known how short the list was I would have waited. However, the marina is nice and quiet and there is only one other boat on our pier.Pete

 

[SEADANCE]

TRIMATRIX Port light pic request

I talked hubby into getting the Trimatrix ports and replacing all of our windows this week to be ordered. Can someone post a picture of their boat with this kind of window...Inside and outside? Please??My Thanks,B/Seadance