portlights questions

[Al]

Hey, All. I'm reviving a 1978 Mac 22..two major things have left to do - portlights and standing rigging...will have pix for you after I'm done.Question is about installing portlights. I took the old ones out (the older kind with aluminum frames), took the bent frames apart and pulled cracked 3/16 thick plexyglass. I'm thinking of getting a slightly thicker plexyglass(1/4in), cut it a half inch larget than a porthole and through bolt it directly to the hull with 3/16 bolts.Has anyone done a similar thing?In other words, do I really need those frames?(newer Macs dont have frames, how is the glass attached on the new ones?)How far apart do you think, I should space the bolts to mount it to the hull?(the portlights are about 6 x 45 in)Do i just use good ole silicone around the edges to seal it?...or 3M 4200Please help, I'm still hoping to do some sailing this season.alexderiy@yahoo.com

 

[Night Sailor]

Okay

You plan sounds okay if you put the new material outside the hull. #8 s.s. oval or flat head machine screws every 6 inches. Countersink holes in the plastic at least 1/16 inch larger than scew diameter to allow for expansion, contraction of plastic and torque of hull. Bed screws and all edges with 3M 4200 black or white to suit. Important to get the 4200 down into the countersunk holes in the plastic to seal the screw heads. tighten screws at opposite points in rotation. Example: Left side, right side, top side, bottom side. Repeat at intermediate points until all done. Finish with a smooth bead of 4200 around the outside edge of the plastic, at least on the top, to avoid creating a trap or dirt and water. Have fun.