[C320-list] Lewmar port leaks

Mon Jul 18 16:06:20 PDT 2016

Thank you Troy.

 I didn't realize those were 'covers' on the latch. Mine look like one piece although there is a circular groove.  I will try it- assume the cover just prices off with a small knife blade ? 

I tried to post a small video of the leak but guess there is a pretty small size limit on attachments.

Thanks everyone again for the help. I will let the list know of my success or not......and if I resort to full replacement. 

Sent from my iPad

> On Jul 18, 2016, at 6:50 PM, Troy Dunn <troutwarrior at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Oops....you need the full web address for that site
> 
> http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/boat_projects
> 
> 
> 
>> On Monday, July 18, 2016, Troy Dunn <troutwarrior at gmail.com> wrote:
>> 
>> Jamie
>> 
>> There is a screw under a cover on the inside of the dog latch.   Unscrew
>> the two pieces and you will find the oring on the outside piece.   Takes
>> about a minute to unscrew, clean, replace the oring.  I replaced the orings
>> on the cockpit windows and that seemed to fix a couple of small leaks
>> there, but nothing like you are describing.   The orings can be had for $6
>> or $7 on Amazon for a bag of 10.   They are 12mm ID and 2mm thick.  OD is
>> hence 16mm.  Generally they are specified by ID and thickness.   If this
>> works for you that would be fantastic.
>> 
>> If like me...you have to replace the portlight I want to second that you
>> will need more butyl tape around the curves than the straightaways.   I
>> found that 2 passes of flat tape around the whole fixture and then a third
>> pass over the curved parts (rounded?) did the trick.   If you want to err,
>> err on too much, not to little.   Clean up is a snap.   Make sure you visit
>> Mainsails web site and see his write up there for installing portlights
>> using bed it...very good.   pbase.com    Actually if you are the handy
>> type take a good look at that web site it is packed with a lot of great
>> info.    Full time cruisers seem to swear by bed it.
>> 
>> Troy
>> 
>> On Monday, July 18, 2016, Jamie Pett <JPett at jp2architects.com
>> <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','JPett at jp2architects.com');>> wrote:
>> 
>>> Warren  - Don't think my other message to you came through - I had a
>>> small video of the offending leak attached to it.
>>> 
>>> Having done what you suggest below a couple weeks ago, and having the
>>> inner plastic frames removed, I am pretty confident the water is coming
>>> through right at the latch itself, so I am interested in your 'O' ring
>>> solution.
>>> 
>>> How do you get the latch apart ? I can't see any fasteners on mine.  I
>>> have what Lewmar calls the 'old style' portlights, so I suspect it is
>>> exactly the same as yours...
>>> 
>>> Is the 'O' ring on the exterior of the plexi lens ?
>>> 
>>> I wrote to Lewmar and so far no response.
>>> 
>>> Thanks - Jamie
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Jamie Pett
>>> Bella Luna #614
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: C320-list [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On
>>> Behalf Of Warren Updike
>>> Sent: Monday, July 18, 2016 1:32 PM
>>> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
>>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Lewmar port leaks
>>> 
>>> FYI re port light gasket on older 320s. My understanding is that the
>>> gasket showing in the two slots of the external ring is actually part of
>>> the whole gasket that seals the frame. Because it is exposed to the Sun, it
>>> deteriorates over time. Many of us have solved the problem by tearing out
>>> that visible part of the gasket and filling with a material like LifeCalk.
>>> LifeCalk, like most boat adhesives, can be messy to work with. When I did
>>> our port slots, I lined all four edges of each slot with masking tape, then
>>> applied the (black) adhesive smoothing it out with a soft plastic scraper
>>> (don't know the name, also used for smoothing boat names when applying.)
>>> Once cured, and the tape removed, it looked quite good... professional even.
>>> That was 4-5 years ago and still looks good and remains watertight.
>>> 
>>> Warren and Pattie Updike
>>> 1994 C320 "Warr de Mar" #62
>>> Middle River, Chesapeake Bay
>>> 
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Jamie Pett [mailto:JPett at jp2architects.com]
>>> Sent: Sunday, July 17, 2016 10:30 PM
>>> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
>>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Lewmar port leaks
>>> 
>>> Ted - thanks. I re- caulked  those and unfortunately it didn't solve the
>>> problem. Did what you suggested - used a small flat screwdriver and pulled
>>> out the old material - you called it a gasket but I think is was a putty on
>>> my boat- then re-caulked them. I used Boatlife, which was a mistake as it
>>> was hard to work with but still formed a good seal.  Nevertheless , still
>>> have one window leaking right at the latches.
>>> 
>>> Warren may be on to something if there is a bad o ring at the latch that
>>> would explain it.
>>> 
>>> Sent from my iPad
>>> 
>>>>> On Jul 17, 2016, at 5:19 PM, "tharrison at innovations-plus.com"
>>>> <tharrison at innovations-plus.com> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> The window comes in two parts, a top and a bottom. Between the top and
>>>> bottom right at the connection points on both sides there is a gasket.
>>>> One on each side. You have to dig this out with a pick. I worked on
>>>> this for
>>> two
>>>> years trying to stop the window leaks. Then a wise gentleman (Jeff)
>>>> told
>>> me
>>>> about the gaskets
>>>> 
>>>> It is most likely the source of your leak. It takes about 30 minutes
>>>> per window to clean, tape and fill. Let dry for a few hours and I am
>>>> done with my leaks.
>>>> 
>>>> Ted
>>>> 
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: C320-list [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On
>>>> Behalf Of Jamie Pett
>>>> Sent: Sunday, July 17, 2016 4:29 PM
>>>> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
>>>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Lewmar port leaks
>>>> 
>>>> Ted - not sure what gasket you mean ? I recalled the small horizontal
>>> seams
>>>> on the window frame bit have not re- bedded the entire window. The
>>>> water looks like it is entering at the latch.  -J
>>>> 
>>>> Sent from my iPad
>>>> 
>>>>>> On Jul 17, 2016, at 2:02 PM, "tharrison at innovations-plus.com"
>>>>> <tharrison at innovations-plus.com> wrote:
>>>>> 
>>>>> I had the same problem and Jeff provided my answer.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Did you remove the gasket between the two half window frame. I pull
>>>>> this out and sealed with 4200 and not a leak this year at all.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Ted
>>>>> Hull 424 1997
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>> From: C320-list [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On
>>>>> Behalf Of Jamie Pett
>>>>> Sent: Sunday, July 17, 2016 1:58 PM
>>>>> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
>>>>> Subject: [C320-list] Lewmar port leaks
>>>>> 
>>>>> Help! I know there are a number of posts and I read as many as I
>>>>> could find re the operable ports leaking. I have thoroughly cleaned
>>>>> the glass
>>>> and
>>>>> cleaned the seals with Armoural.
>>>>> 
>>>>> I have re-caulked the exterior small horizontal seams in the frames.
>>>>> 
>>>>> I have removed the inner plastic frame covers and tightened all the
>>>>> mounting screws.
>>>>> 
>>>>> My port side  remains leaking, mostly the aft port light.
>>>>> 
>>>>> The leaks seem to be right at the dog or bolt that holds the port
>>>>> light closed. The dog seems tight and secure and I cannot figure out
>>>>> even how to remove it and check it further.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Any insight is appreciated. It rained hard last night and I got
>>>>> easily a pint of water through this light, soaked the port settee,
>>>>> the locker cover etc.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Thanks - Jamie
>>>>> Bella Luna # 614
>>>>> 
>>>>> Sent from my iPad
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 