Please Help. We have Beckson ports on our 40'. We want to replace them soon with metal ports that will fit. New Found Metals replacement ports are a 1/4" too big all the way around . We need 4 X 14 and a 4 X 10. Any sugestions? Willing to go with SS or Bronze. Yes, I have read the archives. Thanks in advance and Merry Christmas! Sandy
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Just ask Ed!
Sandy: Ed Schenck did this on his H'37C. It was not an easy job. That aside I question the cost difference. You can get new Gray ports, which is what I think you have (not Beckson, but I have been wrong before) for about $35 ea. You are look at over $200 each for the NFM ports. You need screens and the little gizmos that hold the ports open. Then you have the work of refitting the openings. I guess my question to you is, what is the purpose of changing to these. Is it the looks or the functionallity? The reason I ask is because I was going to do this same thing to my H'31. Then I thought about the $2k and wondered why not put it into something else. After all these old ports did last for 15 years and they are still working just fine.
Sandy: Ed Schenck did this on his H'37C. It was not an easy job. That aside I question the cost difference. You can get new Gray ports, which is what I think you have (not Beckson, but I have been wrong before) for about $35 ea. You are look at over $200 each for the NFM ports. You need screens and the little gizmos that hold the ports open. Then you have the work of refitting the openings. I guess my question to you is, what is the purpose of changing to these. Is it the looks or the functionallity? The reason I ask is because I was going to do this same thing to my H'31. Then I thought about the $2k and wondered why not put it into something else. After all these old ports did last for 15 years and they are still working just fine.
T
Tim Leighton
AGREE WITH STEVE
Sandy: Steve has made some good points about port replacements. The SS and bronze replacement ports are awfully expensive, and to be honest, I'm not sure how they would look on a "modern" vs "traditional" cabin top. That being said, I'd highly recommend looking into either the Bowmar replacement ports (more expensive) or Beckson (less expensive but not quite as well made in my opinion) ports. Beckson absorbed GRAY enterprises a number of years ago and make "drop in" port replacemnts for almost any opening port Hunter used. Even if the replacement ports is a bit larger, it really isn't a big deal to cut out a larger opening (Dremel tool or equivalent works fine w/ a firm, steady hand). Good luck! Tim Leighton
Sandy: Steve has made some good points about port replacements. The SS and bronze replacement ports are awfully expensive, and to be honest, I'm not sure how they would look on a "modern" vs "traditional" cabin top. That being said, I'd highly recommend looking into either the Bowmar replacement ports (more expensive) or Beckson (less expensive but not quite as well made in my opinion) ports. Beckson absorbed GRAY enterprises a number of years ago and make "drop in" port replacemnts for almost any opening port Hunter used. Even if the replacement ports is a bit larger, it really isn't a big deal to cut out a larger opening (Dremel tool or equivalent works fine w/ a firm, steady hand). Good luck! Tim Leighton
Correction.
Tim: That was Bomar that absorbed Gray and Pompanette owns them both along with Hood Yacht Systems (furlers). www.pompapanette.com
Tim: That was Bomar that absorbed Gray and Pompanette owns them both along with Hood Yacht Systems (furlers). www.pompapanette.com
G
Greg aboard 'BlueBerry'
NFM A-OK
Since I have a bunch of NFM ports on my H-37 (see link below), I would offer the following observations: 1) I think they look fine 2) cost was no object (since the PO put them in!) 3) cutting a larger hole is really not a problem. I have done this on prior vessels without issue 4) exact replacement plastic ones are ok too 5) they all work just fine 6) one caution on the NFM...depending on where you are going to install, the spigot may not allow drainage, so you end up with water sitting in the spigot, trapped up against the face of the glass port. bottom line...it's all a matter of choice, and trade offs. =)
Since I have a bunch of NFM ports on my H-37 (see link below), I would offer the following observations: 1) I think they look fine 2) cost was no object (since the PO put them in!) 3) cutting a larger hole is really not a problem. I have done this on prior vessels without issue 4) exact replacement plastic ones are ok too 5) they all work just fine 6) one caution on the NFM...depending on where you are going to install, the spigot may not allow drainage, so you end up with water sitting in the spigot, trapped up against the face of the glass port. bottom line...it's all a matter of choice, and trade offs. =)
E
Ed Schenck
Here's Ed.
Agree with Steve and Tim, why? I want to go offshore and had ten plastic windows, four 5x12s and six 7x15s. Are you sure you measured correctly? Four inches seems too small for height. The outer edges of the spigot is the dimension of the hole. Hole too small is better than hole too big(my case). I had to glass in a lot of plywood to make up the difference. You will have to glass in something to fill the notch where the drain cutout exists for your Gray portlights. You won't need that with the NFMs. Use a saber-saw to cut the perimeter to size then seal with epoxy. Now the big problem. The NFMs are thru-bolted, getting the holes perpendicular to the cabin sides is an art, need to big and sloppy so you have wiggle room. Then you need a proper countersink because the outside frame has a large boss to bolt into. There are about ten of these to drill and lineup. Next is selecting a sealant and using lots of it at $12. a cartridge. Still want to do this? E-mail me for specifics. As for looks I think they will be beautiful, the S/S ones I mean. But I would add a S/S frame around the non-opening ports for completeness. And the others are right, they absolutely will not drain at that cabin angle.
Agree with Steve and Tim, why? I want to go offshore and had ten plastic windows, four 5x12s and six 7x15s. Are you sure you measured correctly? Four inches seems too small for height. The outer edges of the spigot is the dimension of the hole. Hole too small is better than hole too big(my case). I had to glass in a lot of plywood to make up the difference. You will have to glass in something to fill the notch where the drain cutout exists for your Gray portlights. You won't need that with the NFMs. Use a saber-saw to cut the perimeter to size then seal with epoxy. Now the big problem. The NFMs are thru-bolted, getting the holes perpendicular to the cabin sides is an art, need to big and sloppy so you have wiggle room. Then you need a proper countersink because the outside frame has a large boss to bolt into. There are about ten of these to drill and lineup. Next is selecting a sealant and using lots of it at $12. a cartridge. Still want to do this? E-mail me for specifics. As for looks I think they will be beautiful, the S/S ones I mean. But I would add a S/S frame around the non-opening ports for completeness. And the others are right, they absolutely will not drain at that cabin angle.
G
Greg aboard 'BlueBerry'
and for the sealant...
NFM "suggest" butyl caulk. relatively cheap, can be bought at auto glass place, andmakes for a neat installation. PO on my vessel did not use, but i tried it on rebedding one port and worked very well. fwiw.
NFM "suggest" butyl caulk. relatively cheap, can be bought at auto glass place, andmakes for a neat installation. PO on my vessel did not use, but i tried it on rebedding one port and worked very well. fwiw.
S
Sandy
Thank you to all who replied. You've given us food for thought. Have a Merry Christmas!! ") Sandy
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