removing Main cabin portlights

[RicG]

Today I noticed that one of my main cabin portlights(the big ones) was leaking so I unscrewed and removed the ring on the inside to see if I could remove it and reseal it. What is the best way to remove these things without damaging it. The plastic is old and seems a bit brittle. Anyone know where I could get a replacement if I end up destroying this one.

Its a '79. love the way its sails.

 

[qldman36]

Nice first post. Would you like to clue us in as to what model and make boat you'd like this info for?

 

[Ed Schenck]

re. removing cabin portlights

Gldman is right, helps a lot to know something about your boat. You could update your profile and also add it to the avatar. But since you wrote '79 and you are on the Cherubini forum you must be working with Gray portlights. You should find them here in the SBO store I think.


There were/are two types of Gray portlights. They are the same inside, they screw through the fiberglass and into the coring of the cabin sides. The spigot or frame goes through the hole. Then the outside trim ring goes around that. My Grays were the type that had screws securing the outside trim ring. Many were just held on with the adhesive of the caulk. Originally that was silicone. If you check Hunter Owners Mods under Boat Info, especially for the H37C, you will find several photo projects of Gray portlight repair or replace. Here are a couple of pictures.

 

[Paul F]

My ring is on the outside with the port on the inside. When removing, all you can do is be as careful as you can. They are very easy to break. I broke one and fixed it with my favorite two part epoxy Elmer's Model # E765 found at Lowes. I color it white when mixing with a little white enamel paint.
http://www.thehardwarecity.com/products/E765-12oz-Fg-Repair-System/3914876

 

[qldman36]

If he'll check in with model, i believe he may be talking about the 18 and 27 inch main cabin windows [not made by Gray] originally made by Go Industries. This outfit long out of business. All paterns and fixtures were
bought out and still being made today. Don't recall name of outfit but will
look it up if this is needed.

 

[Ed Schenck]

I could be wrong but I thought all the '79s had all opening ports, either 5x12 or 7x14. Those were Grays.

 

[qldman36]

Sorry Ed, writing this from main cabin on my '79 27' and looking out my ports which are
forward oval 25" and rear is 35" kinda chopped off rear.[my guessing 18 and 28 was way off!] BTW, qldman is with a Q. Have replaced them three times over the years. Once total from Go molds and twice just replacing the lens because of unreal price for total port.

 

[Ed Schenck]

Sorry Carl, see it is a 'q' now that you mention it. And like I wrote, "I might be wrong". This is not an unusual occurrence. So would this boat be like yours: http://hunter.sailboatowners.com/in...278&pid=11237&page=sshow&mn=27_75-84&catid=61 ?

 

[qldman36]

So would this boat be like yours: http://hunter.sailboatowners.com/in...278&pid=11237&page=sshow&mn=27_75-84&catid=61 ?[/quote]

Basically, yup. Many major and minor mods from that stage to today.

 

[RicG]

Thanks for your help

Sorry for not being more explicit with my original post. Ed, your assumptions are right, it is a hunter/cherubini. A 25ft, 1979 model fixed keel. Draws just about 3 feet which is ideal here. The channel to the Gulf gets down less than 4 ft at low tide and the bigger boats have a small window to sail in.

Anyway, I have had this boat for about 2 years and discovered this leak yesterday while cleaning the interior.

I attached a couple of pictures of the offending portlight. It doesnt open. Its about 30 inches long, squared off at the front and angled at the rear. The exterior flange is fairly light weight. The sealer that I can access from the inside still seems quite flexible. I didnt find any that had hardened. I am mostly concerned that I dont damage it so i can get a good seal on it when I re-install it.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks

Rick G

 

[Ed Schenck]

I'll defer to those who have repaired the fixed portlights. My boat has ten openers as seen in the photos. Those are all bronze with safety glass now.

But if you do a search using "fixed portlight" and Hunter as your criteria you will find quite a lot written on the subject. One example: http://forums.hunter.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=539962&highlight=fixed portlight .

 

[Foote]

If you google Mark Plastics in Sonoma California you will find the contact number. I just broke one of the main cabin ports in my 27 and he has the original prints for the older Hunters. Had a new on in less than 2 weeks. Great to deal with.

 

[RicG]

SUCCESS! The leak has been repaired

I managed to get the port out with, cleaned, and reinstalled without destroying it. The primary tool was the red knife you see in the attached picture. Carefully worked it around the outside under the lip. Then after removing the inside retainer, I had to cut away the adhesive between the frame of the port and the deck. Just took some perseverance but the leak is gone. Thanks All.