[C320-list] Attn. Vintage 320 owners - Anyone interested in 1995 opening port lights?

[Warren Updike]

WOW! Sounds like the next upgrade will be a new hull.

-----Original Message-----
From: Rick [mailto:rsulewski at bex.net] 
Sent: Sunday, July 03, 2016 3:53 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: [C320-list] Attn. Vintage 320 owners - Anyone interested in 1995
opening port lights?

Hope everyone is enjoying their holiday weekend!

 

Just replaced all 7 opening port lights on my 1995 C320 hull #277. All of
the frames are in useable condition and two frames have some silicon sealant
on either the frame or near the edge of the seals. 

 

Five out of the 7 lenses are not yet exhibit crazing,  while the lenses
could stand to be lightly buffed. At least 6 out of the seven rubber seals
appear to be in useable condition. I was about to strip off the aluminum to
take that material to the recycler and throw away the rest of the
components, but thought I would check to learn if any of the parts may be of
value to anyone. The frames have the rotating dog leg closers. About 10
years ago I replaced the O-rings. I have the boxes from the new ports to
ship to you at your cost, or make arrangement to pick up the ports if you
passing through the Western Basin region of Lake Erie. The port lights were
exposed to UV for about 7 months of each year, the rest of the time spent
under a tarp during the storage season.

 

I discovered a way to easily remove/release each frame from the hull in less
than 20 seconds each without damage and without prying off the frame from
the exterior side (after removing all of the inside frame retaining screws).
I simply leaned against the frame from the inside with a screw driver placed
first in the  middle of each side for about 3-5 seconds and then in the
middle of the lower frame section for a few seconds before I could simply
push the frame off the hull. Used "Goof Off" to easily remove the old
sealant from the hull in about 3 minutes for each port after briefly
scrapping off a small amount of old excess sealant left after the frame
released.  Most of the time was spent liberally prepping the new frames with
Bed It butyl rubber sealant. Installed each port from the inside to place it
against the exterior side of the hull from the inside without the need for
an extra pair of hands. Drew the frames tighter with the interior frame ring
over several minutes to squeeze out the excess sealant that was easily
removed from the exterior of the hull  a few days later with a razor blade.

 

Just decided to replace all of the port lights  this year since I am
annually scheduling/purchasing  DIY upgrades as I continue to
refurbish/replace various major systems and components (standing rigging,
2007; helm instruments & AP, 2008; sail repair or replace 2000, 2005, 2010,
2015; water pump, 2012; stuffing box to hull tube hose, fall  2014;  fuel
tank and fuel hose replacement, spring 2015; all rubber engine hoses, fall
2015;  opening port windows & center hatch,  summer 2016; running rigging,
2016 ( 2nd time); motor mounts 2016 or 17 (2nd time); re-bed fixed ports,
fall 2016; original interior cushions, 2017; original hot water tank, 2017;
etc.  

 

Rick Sulewski

rsulewski at bex.net