[C320-list] Leaking portholes fix?

[Bill Sloane]

Jon and John,

It sounds like your solutions are very similar.  I might try Rick's solution
right now because my boats has about 6" of snow on it at the moment. Jon, if
you are willing to supply more details, I would be grateful.  Is the
UV4000/4200 something I can get at West Marine?

Bill
C/320 No. 554

On Sun, Feb 27, 2011 at 6:46 AM, Rick Sulewski <rsulewski at bex.net> wrote:

> Bill,
>
> A short term solution that worked on our hull # 277 was to simply tighten
> the frame and compress the gasket. It was amazing how the leaks disappeared
> one we tightened all of the frames that had plenty of space between the
> shrinking gaskets and the hull. So far that solution has lasted over 4
> years. The day will come when I will have to address the gaskets, but in
> the
> meantime, buying some time is working for us.
>
> Rick
> My-Ria # 277
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
> [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Jon Vez
> Sent: Sunday, February 27, 2011 8:38 AM
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Leaking portholes fix?
>
> Bill,
>
> I had leaking portlights the season before last and addressed it this past
> spring. Before you remove the portlight or go after the gasket, try this--
>
> Pull out the grey caulking on each of the horizontal slits in each
> portlight
> and then refill with black UV4000/4200.
>
> I have hull #582 and I started by removing the frame as I saw the cracking
> you mention--However I found the caulk was in really good shape and still
> quite waterproof under the frames themselves. My experience is that
> removing
> and rebedding the frames and replacing the gasket was unnecessary in my
> case. If you can get away with just doing those grey slits you will save a
> lot of time and aggravation. You do not have to remove the portlights to do
> this job. If you like, I can give you more detail on how to do this job if
> this is the approach you choose to take.....
>
> Regards,
>
> Jon Vez
> Solstice #582
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
> [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Bill Sloane
> Sent: Saturday, February 26, 2011 12:23 PM
> To: c320-list at catalina320.com
> Subject: [C320-list] Leaking portholes fix?
>
> After 13 wonderful dry years, my 1998 Catalina 320 is starting to leak at
> the LEWMAR operable portholes. At first I thought the leak was from the
> black rubber interior gasket, but then I looked at the exterior aluminum
> frame of the windows and noticed the gasket between the aluminum and the
> fiberglass of the cabin top is also cracked.
>
> Has someone had this same problem and fixed it?
>
> Bill Sloane
> Endless Summer
> Catalina 320, No. 554
> Olympia WA
>
>
>