Last fall I asked for advice for replacing my portlights and received very good input from everyone. I have an '81 and the portlights were getting in bad shape, not to mention some minor leaks. I had pretty much decided to replace them with Beckson Rain Drain portlights. I looked over the dimensions for the 7x14 to replace the Gray 7x15. As you know they are about 1" short in width compared to the Gray portlight. This past weekend I began to rip and tear. I removed all the old portlights. When I cleaned the area on the outside of sealant there was a slight discoloration of the gel coat where the trim ring was, it was slightly yellow. I haven't ordered the portlights yet, my fear is that the Beckson 7x14 will not cover the area where the old portlight trim ring was, and show some of the discoloration. That would be bad. I believe this will happen based on the dimensions available on Beckson's web site for the 7x14. Has anyone encountered this? Suggestions? It seems obvious to just replace them with the Bomar version but I really like the Rain Drain portlight. I have seen some very creative solutions on this forum so what does everyone think?
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David Foster
Go larger
In any of these replacement exercises, I believe you want to go a little larger, to ensure a good, tight fit. To make the 14 inch ports work, you would need to build up the hole on both ends, and then refinish the surface inside and out. David Lady Lillie
In any of these replacement exercises, I believe you want to go a little larger, to ensure a good, tight fit. To make the 14 inch ports work, you would need to build up the hole on both ends, and then refinish the surface inside and out. David Lady Lillie
Slightly different design too.
Greg: I believe that the new Bomar/Gray ports may be slightly different than you older ones. You may want to check them out in detail before you do a bunch of modifications because of a specific brand.
Greg: I believe that the new Bomar/Gray ports may be slightly different than you older ones. You may want to check them out in detail before you do a bunch of modifications because of a specific brand.
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JimW
nfm trimatrix portlights
Have you seen the new(er) Trimatrix portlights offered by New Found Metals? (Follow the link to their website) - I'd be interested if anyone has any experience with these. Supposedly you do not have to use a bedding/caulking compound with these.
Have you seen the new(er) Trimatrix portlights offered by New Found Metals? (Follow the link to their website) - I'd be interested if anyone has any experience with these. Supposedly you do not have to use a bedding/caulking compound with these.
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steven f
Grays
I replaced all mine last year and find the KISS method worked great. We just replaced the old Gray's with new Gray's. They fit perfect, I can see through all of them and have zero leaks. My thought was this; they worked for 25 years so new Gray's will probably work for at least another 15-20 years. Though I gotta admit, the NFM port's look great...... But the co$t!!!
I replaced all mine last year and find the KISS method worked great. We just replaced the old Gray's with new Gray's. They fit perfect, I can see through all of them and have zero leaks. My thought was this; they worked for 25 years so new Gray's will probably work for at least another 15-20 years. Though I gotta admit, the NFM port's look great...... But the co$t!!!
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Al
I Sealed Them Up !
You're right, the Becksons are not the same size... My 1984 H27 project boat needed 7 of the 8 opening ports replaced. She was taking on a LOT of rain water. No way was I spending $800 + to put those cheap plastic ports back in, and I don't think 8 opening ports on a 27' boat is necessary ! So for the price of 1 port, I bought a sheet of tinted acrylic, cut 7 'windows' using the old ports for a template, attached them with SS screws & silicone...no more leaks ! If and when I come across some decent opening ports, I can easily removed the acrylic and install new ones. (1 in the head would be nice !) Be sure to seal the wood core with some epoxy while you've got the old ones out. Cheers, Al
You're right, the Becksons are not the same size... My 1984 H27 project boat needed 7 of the 8 opening ports replaced. She was taking on a LOT of rain water. No way was I spending $800 + to put those cheap plastic ports back in, and I don't think 8 opening ports on a 27' boat is necessary ! So for the price of 1 port, I bought a sheet of tinted acrylic, cut 7 'windows' using the old ports for a template, attached them with SS screws & silicone...no more leaks ! If and when I come across some decent opening ports, I can easily removed the acrylic and install new ones. (1 in the head would be nice !) Be sure to seal the wood core with some epoxy while you've got the old ones out. Cheers, Al
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Ed Schenck
Been there. . .
as they say. My NFM bronze were 14" and I had to shim up the holes a lot. I was painting the cabin trunk so I was not worried about the outside fit of the trim ring. But on the inside you can see the outline of the old larger frames. I thought Beckson made a 15" that fit except for new drain notches. Otherwise I would opt for the exact fitting Grays. From my experience with NFM I could not recommend them. But they do make a 7x15 now that would have saved me a lot of work. If you want to spend that kind of money then do a forum search for "H37C portlights". There are better all metal alternatives.
as they say. My NFM bronze were 14" and I had to shim up the holes a lot. I was painting the cabin trunk so I was not worried about the outside fit of the trim ring. But on the inside you can see the outline of the old larger frames. I thought Beckson made a 15" that fit except for new drain notches. Otherwise I would opt for the exact fitting Grays. From my experience with NFM I could not recommend them. But they do make a 7x15 now that would have saved me a lot of work. If you want to spend that kind of money then do a forum search for "H37C portlights". There are better all metal alternatives.
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JimW
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Greg Millinger
Thanks and some final notes
Thanks everyone for the help. I had a interesting conversation with Beckson. They recommended having a custom trim ring made that would be slightly larger than what they provide and it would cover the area of discoloration. The same for the inside. If the inner ring does not quite cover the area where the old port was, have a thin ring made that would be placed on the inner ring and secured to the inside. Not a bad idea.
Thanks everyone for the help. I had a interesting conversation with Beckson. They recommended having a custom trim ring made that would be slightly larger than what they provide and it would cover the area of discoloration. The same for the inside. If the inner ring does not quite cover the area where the old port was, have a thin ring made that would be placed on the inner ring and secured to the inside. Not a bad idea.
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Jim Legere
I did Becksons
I did my replacement with Becksons - they are narrower than the Grays. Outline of old trim tring is not really noticable on mine - see my photo article (link below). I'd be happy to share my experiences with you - drop me a line. Jim H37C Calypso
I did my replacement with Becksons - they are narrower than the Grays. Outline of old trim tring is not really noticable on mine - see my photo article (link below). I'd be happy to share my experiences with you - drop me a line. Jim H37C Calypso
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