Portlight leak

[Joe Dickson]

I happened to be staying aboard our Hunter 31 during the recent heavy rains here in Texas. I'm happy to report no visible leaks other than one portlight. The gasket sealed the window fine, the leak was actually coming in between the inside portlight frame and the inside skin of the boat. I'm certain this portlight needs to be removed and rebedded. Are there any helpful hints from those that have done this, before I get started?Thanks in advance,Joes/v Charis

 

[Ed Schenck]

Experience was not good.

I am presently replacing ten opening portlights. The two that I have removed came out in many small pieces. The outside frame was screwed into plywood, yours may simply be glued. The screws came out easily. The problem is that the factory caulking holds like super glue. I am not certain I could have removed the frames without cracking or breaking, even if I was really trying. Maybe there is some chemical that you could saturate the perimeter with that would loosen the frame. Then you only need to dig out any old caulk around the spigot and recaulk. I am using white Life-Calk. Be sure the caulk MORE than fills the perimeter. Reattach the frame and let the overflow set up. It is much easier to remove once it gets rubbery.Hopefully that is your problem. The other scenario is where the leak is elsewhere and finding it's way through the core to that portlight.

 

[CaptJeff]

Try AntiBond 2015

This product is available thru West Marine, it sprays on to 3m 5200 and let it sit for 20 minutes and the 3m 5200 will peel off, Try it

 

[Fred Fuller]

Leaky Windows

Ihad 3 Lewmar ports leaking on my 1992 33.5. I removed the inner moulding and tightened the screws.This was an easy fix and it seemed to work.

 

[Rod]

Leaky Window

Joe, What year and type of window Hunter did the 31 with two diffent styles. Know which one determines how you should fix it.

 

[john noland]

try this

Ideas...1) If one window is beginning to leak, then caulk is probably beginning to break down on all windows. Reseal them all, not just one. 2) Soak the old caulk with Boat Life caulk remover and cleaner before you try to break loose the old caulk. it will help. Use a putty knife to GENTLY separate caulked items.3) Leak could be coming entering in a different place, and running through the space between the outer deck and the inner liner, and finally exiting into the cabin through the portlight.4) If the "portlight" you're referring to are the small opening windows, only caulk the outside. You will see this when you take them out.Good luck. I just resealed all 6 of my small opening port windows. One was leaking visibly, but it turned out that 3 of them were actually letting in water. It wasn't hard. The first one is a learning experience, the rest come easy. Check the sandwiched plywood for any softness or rot, and WEST system or replace as necessary.

 

[Eric Baker]

Anti Bond 2015

I have replaced all four portlights in the main cabin of our 30. Anti bond was great stuff! It will eat the clear plastic lensing if you are not carefull. Also the plastic will break if you aren't patient. The plastic portlights are available from JSI and they are fairly cheap if you do break it.