[C320-list] lewmar portlights

[JJ Morrison]

If the Lewmar port-lights are just leaking then I wouldn't replace them. All 4 of mine were leaking and I fixed them and haven't had a problem in the 4 years since. What you need to do is remove the inside plastic frame to expose the innards of the port-light. You then need to remove all of the old calk in that split in the port-light frame, a dental pick works best for this. You will discover that the material is an "S" shaped gasket and it takes a bit of picking to get it out...both from inside and outside of the boat. Once all of the old stuff has been removed tape off the edges on the outside of the port-light frames. I filled the gap with black 3M5200 but any high quality calk would work. The calk will ooze to the inside of the frames so a bit of masking tape on the inside will prevent it from dripping. Once the calk has cured remove the tape and from 10' looks just like a factory job! Evidently it is not the bedding which leaks at the port-lights but that pesky seal between the gap which deteriorates over time. I got this from Lewmar. It worked on my boat and I know others have done it. Worth a try if you're looking at a few $Gs to replace them.Cheers and good luck.JohnM1999#574

> Date: Thu, 20 Feb 2014 06:52:50 -0800
> From: jbrown5093 at yahoo.com
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] lewmar portlights
> 
> Rebedding isn't a big job if you have the time. I'd also look into using butyl tape to rebed them. Easy to work with and now used by many manufacturers instead of calk. Check out several youtube videos and one Compass Marine and Sail Rite for instructions on how to use it. I haven't used Bomar hatch tape but haven't heard any negatives so that is also a no caulk option. 
> 
> Jim Brown
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> On Wednesday, February 19, 2014 11:06 PM, "Descher, Chris" <cdescher at cedtulsa.com> wrote:
>  
> Bowmar hatch tape solved all my problems. 
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
> 
> > On Feb 19, 2014, at 9:40 PM, "Christopher Nichols" <cinichols at btinternet.com> wrote:
> > 
> > Time has come on Amanda Rose (476) to rebed or replace the cabin trunk portights ajacent to the shrouds. At present we have the original ones with the horizontal split in the metal surround which i gather from posts a while ago are often problematic. 
> > I'd really appreciate advice on if it is advisable to replace the ports rather than simply rebed them in order to avoid problems in future. Also if replacement is advisable then is there a particular model that you would recommend?
> > 
> > My yard are quoting just about $1000 for rebedding the existing 4 so it is looking pretty costly anyhow.
> > 
> > Many thanks in advance for your thoughts.
> > 
> > 
> > Chris Nichols
> > Personal account
> >