[C320-list] lewmar portlights

[Doug Treff]

I also made the same repair using this method. I can say that without a 
doubt it worked. Try this BEFORE you go replacing the O-ring (major 
hassle) or any other parts and see if it solves your problem. If you 
devote 1 entire day to making this repair, you could fix all of your 
windows in one session. Get them all taped up first and then go around 
with the caulk and do each one like an assembly line. I used the white 
4200 and it looks factory. You can buy a cheap set of dental picks at 
Harbor freight that will help you yank out the old gasket material.

Below is a link to a blog article from someone who owns a C-36 and 
repaired his fixed ports the same way. These fixed ports (like the ones 
we have on our C320's) also have the same joint in the frame, though 
mine haven't leaked yet. The pictures are very useful and if you've 
spent any amount of time studying your ports, you can see that the 
repair process is very similar. When you do yours, do it with the window 
open, and make sure to tape off the inside of the frame as well as the 
mating surface where the window closes and the o-ring to prevent getting 
any sealant where it doesn't belong. I highly recommend caulking the 
inside as well as the outside. The inside frame is only held on with 
Velcro and will come off easily with a little tug.

http://blog.taas.it/2013/05/for-catalina-36-ia-community.html

Good luck, and feel free to drop me a line if you have questions, as I 
have done all of my windows this way even if they haven't leaked yet.

Doug Treff
doug at treff.us
1996 C-320 Hull #350 - September Song

On 2/20/2014 4:57 PM, Warren Updike wrote:
> I can second this approach, except that I didn't bother with the inside. I
> just picked the gasket from the outside, taped off the hull, frame, and
> gasket, then filled the space with black LifeCaulk. I used a plastic scraper
> to remove excess caulk and let it cure. The tape came off easily and, as JJ
> says, from 10' or even 3' away you wouldn't know the difference.
>
> Warren and Pattie Updike
> 1994 C320 "Warr de Mar" #62
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: JJ Morrison [mailto:sail-ability at sympatico.ca]
> Sent: Thursday, February 20, 2014 12:09 PM
> To: Catalina List
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] lewmar portlights
>
> 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
>>>
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>