[C320-list] LEAKING CABIN PORTLIGHTS

[JonVez at comcast.net]

John, 



I literally just went through this. I have hull #582. All four were leaking. I had planned to change everything on all four ports just to address any possible issue. I ended up doing an entire upgrade to 2 of the ports (re-bedding, changing the gaskets and redoing the horizontal slots. After doing 2, that way it was becoming obvious to me that the horizontal slots were in fact the problem. So on the last two I tried just redoing those before going through the hassle of doing everything--it worked! Redoing those slots takes about 30 minutes, including taping and it solves the problem. 

Doing the whole portlight took me about 3 days each. The thing I struggled with was the gasket replacement. Getting the old silicone out and fitting the new gaskets turned out to be much more difficult for me than others have experienced--so I'm elated I don't have to do this for the other two. Hope this helps and if you need more info., just let me know... 



Regards, 



Jon Vez 

Solstice #582 
----- Original Message ----- 
From: sail-ability at sympatico.ca 
To: c320-list at catalina320.com 
Sent: Thursday, June 3, 2010 8:27:41 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern 
Subject: [C320-list] LEAKING CABIN PORTLIGHTS 


I have hull number 574 and have 4 Lewmar portlights (forward in the main cabin) which won't stop leaking. I've cleaned the gaskets and replaced the O ring seals on the dog latches. 

 Water gathers and drips out from the dog slots. It has been suggested to me that the water is coming in where the outside portlight frames join in the middle; I've checked this and there is a butyl putty there which seems intact. I've not changed it. 

Help please. 

JohnM