[C320-list] Lewmar side port Seal install

[Chris J.Manges]

The new seals were not compressed from use, making it hard to close the portlight initially. However, it's the new, uncompressed material that makes them that way, and keeps them from leaking. When newly installed, you will just barely be able to close the portlight, and it may take some effort to close the latches all the way. Once the seals compress somewhat, the portlight and latches will operate normally.

I did not need to re-bed mine as the leaks were latch and seal related, not from the perimeter of the frame. You can remove the plastic inner trim piece to see if water is coming in around the outside of the frame before you go to the trouble of pulling them. Instead of bedding compound, mine were set in a putty ribbon, like is used in the RV industry or a plumber might use when installing a new shower stall, and removing them would have taken more force than I was comfortable applying. In addition, some of the clamping screws were cross threaded and I would have had to cut them in order to remove the inner frame ring, so I opted not to do this since there was no evidence of leaks around the outside of the frame.

Chris Manges S/V Obsession #587

-----Original Message-----
>From: Joe Abbagnaro <jabbagna at gmail.com>
>Sent: Apr 18, 2008 8:11 AM
>To: C320-List at catalina320.com
>Subject: Re: [C320-list] Lewmar side port Seal install
>
>I already tried the easy fix by replacing the  O rings so now I will
>try the hatch seals
>with some of the tips here. Did the new seals appear to be much
>larger, making it harder
>to close the hatch ?
>
>Joe
>#574
>
>On Thu, Apr 17, 2008 at 6:45 PM, Chris J.Manges <cjmanges at earthlink.net> wrote:
>> I just replaced all four. The first trick is to be sure all of the old sealant is removed. To do that, I used a very small flat screw driver to scrape the track (lightly). If you don't remove ALL of the old sealant, the new seal will not seat. The second trick to dry fit the new seal is to use a small plastic scraper with the sharp edge sanded off, or a fairly thick feeler guage to persuade the dovetail portion into the track. Start with one of the flat surfaces and work your way around the entire portlight. Once you have a good dry fit, remove the gasket and put a SMALL bead of silicone into the track. Once the silicone is in place, repeat the installation process. (The dovetail will go in somewhat easier since the silicone sealant acts as a lube before it sets. However, I would not skip the dry fit process, as it is a real mess to go back if you don't get a good fit.) Once installed, close the hatch, dog down the latches, and leave them closed for a week until the silicone firms up. It will take a longer than the normal time to set up since the silicone is not exposed to air. As a reference, it took me almost 7 hours to complete all four forward portlights.
>>
>>  One other suggestion-some of my leaks were actually around the latches, not between the acrylic and the port seal. If you have the old style latches, (dog ear, turns to latch), there is an "O" ring that dries out and allows water to enter past the shaft of the latch. These are metric "O" rings, and I believe they are 2mm thickness by 12mm diameter. You will need to pry out the cover (small, thin knife blade) and unscrew the phillips head screw to remove the old "O" ring. (Be sure the portlight is open to keep the outer part from falling onto the deck.) Replace, and lube the new "O" ring, and reassemble. You might try this first, as it is much simpler than replacing the portlight seal in the frame.
>>
>>  Good luck,
>>
>>  Chris Manges, S/V Obsession #587
>>
>>
>>
>>  -----Original Message-----
>>  >From: Joe Abbagnaro <jabbagna at gmail.com>
>>  >Sent: Apr 17, 2008 1:01 PM
>>  >To: C320-List at catalina320.com
>>  >Subject: [C320-list] Lewmar side port Seal install
>>  >
>>  >Any tricks for installing the new Side port lewmar seals.
>>  >The seals appear to be much thicker than the old seals ?
>>  >I am having trouble getting them to snap into the slot.
>>  >
>>  >Appreciate all help……
>>  >
>>  >Thank You
>>  >Joe
>>
>>