[C320-list] Port light replacement

Mon Mar 7 08:22:43 PST 2022

   A couple weeks ago I found it at Marine Outfitters in Canada, and I
   bought a 50' roll.
   However, at that time they only had a dozen rolls in stock, and looking
   now at their site this product has disappeared.
   Afraid I can't help you with the best alternative product.

   On 3/7/2022 3:18 AM, [1]wdoc1 at aol.com wrote:

Shipmates-
In the process of replacing the four opening portlights in my 2000 C320 and cann
ot find "Bed-It" butyl tape recommended in previous postings. It appears the com
pany has gone out of business. What is best alternative product?
Thanks,
Bill McConnellDiversion #714

-----Original Message-----
From: Troy Dunn [2]<troutwarrior at gmail.com>
To: [3]C320-List at catalina320.com
Sent: Sat, May 8, 2021 7:44 am
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Port light replacement

This link will take you to a search result for all the threads on the
C320-List for opening portlights.  It's definitely worth spending some time
reading through a few of these.  I can't recall anyone turning these into
a great article.  The readers digest version of many of these articles
would go like this... 1) Hey my opening portlights are leaking 2) Bunch of
suggestions on how to fix without replacing 3) Either success or failure
with recommended fixes 4) if failure...replace with new portlights
which turn out to be far superior and less likely to cause premature
arthritis from snugging down the dogs.

[4]https://groups.google.com/g/c320-list/search?q=opening%20portlights

Assuming your original portlights have a butyl seal still, replacement is
as simple as removing the old portlight (use plastic scrapers to get under
the outside trim ring), removing the butyl tape (easy cleanup with mineral
spirits), clean up the gelcoat (perhaps a little rubbing compound and then
acetone), install new portlight with bed-it tape.  Tons of articles out
there on using bed-it. (Rebedding Deck Hardware With Bed-It Butyl Tape -
Marine How To [5]<https://marinehowto.com/bed-it-tape/>)  The key is to snug
down the bolts and then come back to it every few hours or so and then give
the bolts a final snug a few days later.  Do not overtighten.

Cheers-

Troy

On Fri, May 7, 2021 at 5:57 PM P.F. Ross [6]<pfrstl at gmail.com> wrote:

Rene,

Not sure if you are replacing the (opening) portlights with new, or simply
rebedding your existing portlights.  In either case, I assume you are going
after leaks.

If you search for "leaking portlights" you will find much written on the
C320 archives.  Seems like there a few areas that caused leaks in the "old"
style Lemary portlights including 1) the gasket or sealant in the joint
between the upper and lower aluminum frames, 2) the gasket that is captured
in the frame that seals against the plastic lens, 3) the orings that seal
the rotating locking dogs, 4) the bedding sealant between the frame and
cabin gelcoat, and 5) more that I forgot about.

Over the years, I tried fixes on all of these areas with mixed results.
However, I did see several success stories of others.  I finally got fed up
and replaced all seven of my "old" portlights with the newer Lewmar design
that is much superior to the old as far as possible leak paths and latching
(e.g., [7]https://www.defender.com/search.html?q=900365-1-WHI&x=0&y=0).
Expensive at about $200 each but I won't have to mess with them again.

Continuing on my quest for a leak-free boat,

Frank Ross
Beta Wave #206

On Fri, May 7, 2021 at 4:08 PM Rene [8]<rthruston88 at gmail.com> wrote:

Thanks everyone.  That was very helpful.  Any trips and tricks to the
replacement?  These are the portlights that open.

Thanks,
Rene'
#545
Little Wing

-----Original Message-----
From: C320-list [9]<c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com> On Behalf Of
Karl Krueger
Sent: Friday, May 7, 2021 1:41 PM
To: [10]C320-List at catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Port light replacement

I just replaced four port light hatches, the cabin ones the open.

I was extremely happy using butyl tape.

Karl Krueger
Kindred Spirit #282
Milwaukee WI

On Fri, May 7, 2021 at 12:15 PM Troy Dunn [11]<troutwarrior at gmail.com>

wrote:

Which portlights?  Fixed, opening, or "deadlights"?  It matters...

For the opening portlights on the cabintop use bed-it butyl tape from
compass marine.
For the dead lights on the cabin top you need to use a good adhesive
sealant that is compatible with your replacement material of choice
(polycarbonate or cast acrylic) For the fixed portlights (on the hull)
pretty sure butyl tape is the way to go there, but you might want to
get some more opinions on that one...

Good luck!
Troy Dunn
Hull #514

On Fri, May 7, 2021 at 12:14 PM John Morrison
[12]<sail-ability at sympatico.ca>
wrote:

I have used 3M4200. Don’t use 5200 or they’ll never come off!!
JohnM
1999#574

Sent from my iPhone

On May 7, 2021, at 11:08 AM, P.F. Ross [13]<pfrstl at gmail.com> wrote:

Rene,

My guess is that you will get various opinions on this, but I used
"Bed

It"

butyl tape as found on Marinehowto.com

[14]https://marinehowto.com/bed-it-tape/

I like this tape best (I have tried others) because it is so
stretchy

and

sticky (almost too much so).

Regards,

Frank Ross
Beta Wave #206

On Fri, May 7, 2021 at 9:33 AM Rene [15]<rthruston88 at gmail.com>

wrote:

Does anyone have any recommendations for a sealant to replace the
port lights?
Thanks,
Rene'
#545
Little Wing

--

[image: CRS-Designation-Logo_Horizontal_Color (1)]

Karl W Krueger - ABR, CRS, GRI,
RE/MAX Realty 100
Phone - 414-322-6541
Fax - 414-327-6870

Have a smooth sailing day.................................

References

   1. mailto:wdoc1 at aol.com
   2. mailto:troutwarrior at gmail.com
   3. mailto:C320-List at catalina320.com
   4. https://groups.google.com/g/c320-list/search?q=opening portlights
   5. https://marinehowto.com/bed-it-tape/
   6. mailto:pfrstl at gmail.com
   7. https://www.defender.com/search.html?q=900365-1-WHI&x=0&y=0
   8. mailto:rthruston88 at gmail.com
   9. mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
  10. mailto:C320-List at catalina320.com
  11. mailto:troutwarrior at gmail.com
  12. mailto:sail-ability at sympatico.ca
  13. mailto:pfrstl at gmail.com
  14. https://marinehowto.com/bed-it-tape/
  15. mailto:rthruston88 at gmail.com