I have several ports starting to leak due to plastic cracking. The hunter 34 is a 1984 model in great shape but both fixed and opening ports are leaking. Where can I get replacements for the ports and should I go back with plastic or upgrade to metal? Thank you for your help. Jerry
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Pompanette has Bomar/Grey portlights
Measure your portlights, then go to their website and order as many as you'll need. The fixed windows are not sold by anyone (that I know of). I bought a large sheet of Lexan from GE, and used the old windows as the pattern for the new ones. I then cut the Lexan to size on a table saw with a fine tooth blade. ~ Happy sails to you ~ _/) ~
Measure your portlights, then go to their website and order as many as you'll need. The fixed windows are not sold by anyone (that I know of). I bought a large sheet of Lexan from GE, and used the old windows as the pattern for the new ones. I then cut the Lexan to size on a table saw with a fine tooth blade. ~ Happy sails to you ~ _/) ~
Opening ports H34
I am currently replacing all ports with Beckson Marine ports. Check their website, they have been very helpful when I phoned them. Fixed ports are being redone with real glass. Good luck, Tom
I am currently replacing all ports with Beckson Marine ports. Check their website, they have been very helpful when I phoned them. Fixed ports are being redone with real glass. Good luck, Tom
Fixed Ports
Fixed Ports are sold by Mark Plastics, they made the original ports for the H34, Call him at 909-735-7705 You will talk to the owner, he has been very helpfull to me. The price for all 4 fixed ports is just over $500 inlcuding the sealant to install them.
Fixed Ports are sold by Mark Plastics, they made the original ports for the H34, Call him at 909-735-7705 You will talk to the owner, he has been very helpfull to me. The price for all 4 fixed ports is just over $500 inlcuding the sealant to install them.
Gerald, this subject comes up a lot.
The archives have a lot for you. I have to disagree with Ed about Gray ports. I think one of the reasons this subject comes up so many times, is because of the Gray ports. Not Good. Becksons are much better. Most marine stores sell them at discount. I installed Beckson Raindrains. Same size, minor modifications required and so much better than the Grays. New Found Metals has stainless ports if you have a couple thousand extra dollars. Go here; http://www.newfoundmetals.com/index.htm Check out my web site to see H34 snaps, both before and after the Beckson install. Two things to note on my web site. The pictures of the ports in the background that look old and cruddy are of the Gray's. When you see a port with 3 dogs, they're Grays. Becksons have two dogs because their gaskets are so much better than Grays'. I put the Beckson flip cams on the Gray's the day they were invented back in the '80s. And be sure to pay attention to how good the Becksons look with the flanges trimmed so they don't stick out into space like Hunter leaves the Gray's. Go for it. It's a major benifit to these boats.
The archives have a lot for you. I have to disagree with Ed about Gray ports. I think one of the reasons this subject comes up so many times, is because of the Gray ports. Not Good. Becksons are much better. Most marine stores sell them at discount. I installed Beckson Raindrains. Same size, minor modifications required and so much better than the Grays. New Found Metals has stainless ports if you have a couple thousand extra dollars. Go here; http://www.newfoundmetals.com/index.htm Check out my web site to see H34 snaps, both before and after the Beckson install. Two things to note on my web site. The pictures of the ports in the background that look old and cruddy are of the Gray's. When you see a port with 3 dogs, they're Grays. Becksons have two dogs because their gaskets are so much better than Grays'. I put the Beckson flip cams on the Gray's the day they were invented back in the '80s. And be sure to pay attention to how good the Becksons look with the flanges trimmed so they don't stick out into space like Hunter leaves the Gray's. Go for it. It's a major benifit to these boats.
Oh John, if Gerald is at all handy, he can replace
the fixed ports for $50.00. Even if he has to pay the vendor to cut the plastic, another 25 to fifty bucks will do it. That's what mine charged for cutting the new Bomar hatch plastic. I cut the fixed ports easily on my table saw. Clamping the new ports to the old, allows the old screw hole to serve as a template for the new holes. The hard part of this work is sanding away the old silicone. No one knows how long silicone lasts. The original stuff is still going strong. And new silicone won't stick to old. What else? Hell, that'll get ya started. Have fun. P.S. If your style of fixed port has the frame, I would do away with it and save the money, if that is why Mark plastics gets all those dollars.
the fixed ports for $50.00. Even if he has to pay the vendor to cut the plastic, another 25 to fifty bucks will do it. That's what mine charged for cutting the new Bomar hatch plastic. I cut the fixed ports easily on my table saw. Clamping the new ports to the old, allows the old screw hole to serve as a template for the new holes. The hard part of this work is sanding away the old silicone. No one knows how long silicone lasts. The original stuff is still going strong. And new silicone won't stick to old. What else? Hell, that'll get ya started. Have fun. P.S. If your style of fixed port has the frame, I would do away with it and save the money, if that is why Mark plastics gets all those dollars.
Fred, do you have the part #'s for your becksons
Hey fred do you have the part #'s for your ports, I'm fixing to buy 2 complete sets, one set for my boat and for another 34 hunter too. Would like to get some more people in on this. to try and get the price cheaper.
Hey fred do you have the part #'s for your ports, I'm fixing to buy 2 complete sets, one set for my boat and for another 34 hunter too. Would like to get some more people in on this. to try and get the price cheaper.
Tim, Call Fisheries Supply in Seattle. Ask for
their biggest quantity discount because you are going to order the most ports ever ordered!
(that'll be close) They are at 800-426-6930. That's memorized. You need; 3 4"X14" SKU 01304(Fisheries number) $85.26 ea. 6 5"X12" SKU 02292 (same as above) $83.30 ea. The price was my cost on 10/1/02. If you find a better price, call 'em back, they deal!
their biggest quantity discount because you are going to order the most ports ever ordered!
(that'll be close) They are at 800-426-6930. That's memorized. You need; 3 4"X14" SKU 01304(Fisheries number) $85.26 ea. 6 5"X12" SKU 02292 (same as above) $83.30 ea. The price was my cost on 10/1/02. If you find a better price, call 'em back, they deal!
I bought 2 inch
That is the part that sticks out into space that Hunter doesn't trim off. I found that several of the ports needed the 2" or the inner flange would not have been level with the trim ring. Also be sure to read the instructions on Becksons web site. I cut mine to fit with my table saw and sanded with a belt sander but I'm convinced that a band saw is best. If you don't have one, rent one. If you don't know how to use one, have a friend make the cuts on theirs, for a case of beer. Have fun. Then too, you could leave them sticking out like Hunter did.
That is the part that sticks out into space that Hunter doesn't trim off. I found that several of the ports needed the 2" or the inner flange would not have been level with the trim ring. Also be sure to read the instructions on Becksons web site. I cut mine to fit with my table saw and sanded with a belt sander but I'm convinced that a band saw is best. If you don't have one, rent one. If you don't know how to use one, have a friend make the cuts on theirs, for a case of beer. Have fun. Then too, you could leave them sticking out like Hunter did.
Thanks Fred
I have a 14" rigid band saw. so that should be no problem. I should have my pics back next week of my solid teak floor I'll post them then.
I have a 14" rigid band saw. so that should be no problem. I should have my pics back next week of my solid teak floor I'll post them then.
Just ordered my ports today
went with beckson rain drains. also ordered the I think they were called barrell nuts. Hope the installation goes as easy as the purchase. Fred I know you'll read this. I'm still wondering about cutting them to fit with my band saw. Could you draw me a pic of how you are thinking about cutting them to fit on the band saw. My band saw is the largest you can buy without purchasing an industrial unit. I know on the table saw it would be hard to see where you are actually cutting off the excess. Tim Welsh
went with beckson rain drains. also ordered the I think they were called barrell nuts. Hope the installation goes as easy as the purchase. Fred I know you'll read this. I'm still wondering about cutting them to fit with my band saw. Could you draw me a pic of how you are thinking about cutting them to fit on the band saw. My band saw is the largest you can buy without purchasing an industrial unit. I know on the table saw it would be hard to see where you are actually cutting off the excess. Tim Welsh
Tim, I'm not sure what the barrel bolts do or how
to use them. I followed the instructions from Beckson and installed the trim rings by gluing them in place with the same silicone as the frames. I have no idea what the barrel bolts even look like. When you read about trial fitting the frames to the cabin top, note the part about the pencil line that you draw to mark your cut. Brace the frames so as to line up the mark to your saw and, using your fence, 'cut away'. Leave a little extra so as to be able to sand out saw tooth marks and YOU GOT IT. They will look just as good (but not better) than mine. As with all WOODWORK, cutting plastic is the same. Leave plenty of material and work your way in, until you're comfortable.
to use them. I followed the instructions from Beckson and installed the trim rings by gluing them in place with the same silicone as the frames. I have no idea what the barrel bolts even look like. When you read about trial fitting the frames to the cabin top, note the part about the pencil line that you draw to mark your cut. Brace the frames so as to line up the mark to your saw and, using your fence, 'cut away'. Leave a little extra so as to be able to sand out saw tooth marks and YOU GOT IT. They will look just as good (but not better)
than mine. As with all WOODWORK, cutting plastic is the same. Leave plenty of material and work your way in, until you're comfortable.Camlocks vs screwing with nuts
The becksons I've bought have camlocks instead of screwing the three individual nuts down. and there are only two of them. They should be in next week. Oh yeah Fred on the barrell NUTS. You can go to becksons installation page and they kind of explain it to you. When I get them I'll have a better explanation for you. Sail on Tim Welsh H34 AKA CABO WABO
The becksons I've bought have camlocks instead of screwing the three individual nuts down. and there are only two of them. They should be in next week. Oh yeah Fred on the barrell NUTS. You can go to becksons installation page and they kind of explain it to you. When I get them I'll have a better explanation for you. Sail on Tim Welsh H34 AKA CABO WABO
Ports came in
Well all my ports came in today, can't wait to get strated putting them in. Fred I'll probably be hollering at you. Tim Welsh
Well all my ports came in today, can't wait to get strated putting them in. Fred I'll probably be hollering at you. Tim Welsh
Thank You
Thank you for your help I am getting information now on the ports. Ever in Galveston or Kemah Call me I have several cold ones with your name on them. Thank you again
Thank you for your help I am getting information now on the ports. Ever in Galveston or Kemah Call me I have several cold ones with your name on them. Thank you again
Installation of barrel nuts
You will need to have several different lengths of screws because you only have about a 1/4" max tightening distance. If they are too long they will stick out of the barrell nut and make it difficult to install trim ring. The best thing to do is install ports without sealant and make sure that each one of the eight or ten screws is the right length. I would even mark which hole each of the screws is used for. Trust me if you have all the sealant around the spigots and found out that one of the screws is too long you got problems you don't need at that time. You will diffently like the cam locks better than the screw type. Do not hesitate to call Beckson for technical info. They were and are great. Also listen to them on the type of sealant to use.They strongly recommended Dow Corning 795.
You will need to have several different lengths of screws because you only have about a 1/4" max tightening distance. If they are too long they will stick out of the barrell nut and make it difficult to install trim ring. The best thing to do is install ports without sealant and make sure that each one of the eight or ten screws is the right length. I would even mark which hole each of the screws is used for. Trust me if you have all the sealant around the spigots and found out that one of the screws is too long you got problems you don't need at that time. You will diffently like the cam locks better than the screw type. Do not hesitate to call Beckson for technical info. They were and are great. Also listen to them on the type of sealant to use.They strongly recommended Dow Corning 795.
OK, I'm getting the idea about the barrel screws
Because my boat was built with just stainless sheet metal screws that only held into the inner cabin liner, I didn't face the intricacies of barrel bolts vs corresponding/complementary screw length. (Whew, just a minute, my mouth is still full),,, OK, that's better. What I did, is just use sheet metal screws into the inner liner and glued the trim rings with silicone, like Beckson says to do. Simple. Make sense?
Because my boat was built with just stainless sheet metal screws that only held into the inner cabin liner, I didn't face the intricacies of barrel bolts vs corresponding/complementary screw length. (Whew, just a minute, my mouth is still full),,, OK, that's better. What I did, is just use sheet metal screws into the inner liner and glued the trim rings with silicone, like Beckson says to do. Simple. Make sense?
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