[C320-list] Port light replacement

Mon Mar 7 08:31:06 PST 2022

Defender sells Butyl tape in 20’ rolls for $25.99.  It looks like they have some in stock….

Joe Luciano
#1044

> On Mar 7, 2022, at 8:22 AM, Greg Arnold <1gregoryarnold at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
>   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 <mailto: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 <mailto:troutwarrior at gmail.com>>
> To: [3]C320-List at catalina320.com <mailto: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 <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/ <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 <mailto: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 <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 <mailto: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 <mailto: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 <mailto: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 <mailto: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 <mailto: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 <mailto: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 <http://marinehowto.com/>
> 
> [14]https://marinehowto.com/bed-it-tape/ <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 <mailto:rthruston88 at gmail.com>>
> 
> wrote:
> 
> Does anyone have any recommendations for a sealant to replace the
> port lights?
> Thanks,
> Rene'
> #545
> Little Wing
> 
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> 
> --
> 
> [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 <mailto:wdoc1 at aol.com>
>   2. mailto:troutwarrior at gmail.com <mailto:troutwarrior at gmail.com>
>   3. mailto:C320-List at catalina320.com <mailto:C320-List at catalina320.com>
>   4. https://groups.google.com/g/c320-list/search?q=opening <https://groups.google.com/g/c320-list/search?q=opening> portlights
>   5. https://marinehowto.com/bed-it-tape/ <https://marinehowto.com/bed-it-tape/>
>   6. mailto:pfrstl at gmail.com <mailto:pfrstl at gmail.com>
>   7. https://www.defender.com/search.html?q=900365-1-WHI&x=0&y=0 <https://www.defender.com/search.html?q=900365-1-WHI&x=0&y=0>
>   8. mailto:rthruston88 at gmail.com <mailto:rthruston88 at gmail.com>
>   9. mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com <mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com>
>  10. mailto:C320-List at catalina320.com <mailto:C320-List at catalina320.com>
>  11. mailto:troutwarrior at gmail.com <mailto:troutwarrior at gmail.com>
>  12. mailto:sail-ability at sympatico.ca <mailto:sail-ability at sympatico.ca>
>  13. mailto:pfrstl at gmail.com <mailto:pfrstl at gmail.com>
>  14. https://marinehowto.com/bed-it-tape/ <https://marinehowto.com/bed-it-tape/>
>  15. mailto:rthruston88 at gmail.com <mailto:rthruston88 at gmail.com>