Beckson port lights

[DGA]

I have bought replacement Beckson port lights for my 382, part number PO414-wc-10 and have installed two of them. I prefer to through bolt (10-32 screws and nuts) rather than the self tapping screws it had originally. I need to replace the quarter berth port light as well, does anyone know either the Beckson part number, or the opening size?
Dave.

 

[Mitchell S Allen]

I have a new port for Sonata's 1/4. It's on the boat, if you can wait a bit I'll get you the info. Seems like it's about 14" long.

 

[Cliff Porter]

Someone who owned my boat in the past has changed the port lights with Beckson plastic and I'm not totally happy with the way they look. Even though they're decent quality and held up quite well over the years, I much prefer the look of S. S. to plastic, as long as they can be opened and not leak when closed. Even though plastic is probably a third of the cost metal, polished stainless steel makes a statement that contributes to making the boat a yacht. Does anyone know where to get SS windows? Even though it's not on the top of important things to do, somewhere down the line I may consider replacement. Not at all interested in nickel or chrome plated pot metal.

 

[Mitchell S Allen]

New Found Metals is what we have on Sonata. They had been installed prior to our stewardship.

Home - New Found Metals

newfoundmetals.com

There are installation videos on the website. I believe they can also make custom sizes.

If you go this route make sure and install them properly, according to their procedures. They have all the sealants, butyl etc. Ours were an abysmal failure due to whomever installed these. Leaking and damaging the teak ply interior. Not one portlight had been put in correctly. It was a mess.

NFM were a great help with correcting the problems in redoing my ports. And they are VERY high quality portlights.

Mitchell

 

[DGA]

I'm not sure if my Beckson ports were original or not, I think not. The last two digits on the PO414-wc-10 part number are the length, for the cabin wall thickness, 10 being 1" long. If you look at the attached pic, those were probably 2" long( protrusion) and had stuck out so far that were broken from people stepping on them. I had just replaced the one in the foreground. 1" is a little on the short side but it works ok, and I like the flush appearance.

 

[Mitchell S Allen]

DGA, I'll be on the boat Monday afternoon and get the part number and pics. I have the same problem with the cockpit port. The flange is all broken. I'm thinking of cutting the new on down if it protrudes much.

 

[Warren Holybee]

The original portlights were gray, not Beckson. Information and replacement are available here:

Gray Enterprises Ports and Parts

Gray Enterprises Ports and Parts

shop.hunterowners.com

Whether beckson or gray, the protrusions are supposed to be cut flush. Though I see boats all the time where they don't. My quarter berth light has been sealed over by a previous owner and I have not replaced it yet. I believe it to be the same 410 size, but might require the 2 inch thickness.

 

[MadameX]

I replaced all of the portlights except the quarter berth one on Xanadu ("nicknamed Madame X) with the NFM units also. The larger galley and nav station ones required enlarging the openings a bit more than those forward of these two.
The original plastic ones had been installed with silicone or maybe WM 4200 or Silaflex caulking, and needed to be painstakingly removed to prevent marring the outside gelcoat. Three of these had been leaking rain water, etc. Upon removal, discovered leakers had caused rot to occur in the wood core of the cabin along with the teak veneer on the inside. Relacement of all of the veneer on the cabin sides was required after filling the previously filled and faired core ply. Remember to coat/infuse the new openings with epoxy to seal out any water infusion that might start rot. The NFM instructions are excellent. Butyl sealant is the best. I had to re-seal the port in the forward berth after a couple of years since I hadn't allowed for the curvature of the cabin side, which opened up slightly.

 

[Mitchell S Allen]

The replacement portlight that came with my boat is a Bomar 414AD Angled Spigot. 4 x14" as they measure it. (The opening)
I'm not sure what brand is actually in the 1/4 berth. Very similar to the Bomar though. If not identical.
Mitchell

 

[DGA]

Thank you for the info. I think my old ports were those, Bomar, with three thumb screws. The Beckson have two adjustable over center cam type latches, very fast to open, and the wife can't over tighten because you just cam them open or closed. Somehow I thought the quarter berth port was larger, but admittedly I never measured it to see, so I will use one of the new ones I have in stock.

 

[terry_thatcher]

To add to the mix: My original ports were replaced by previous owner with Atkins and Hoyle. Easier replacement that the major operation to install NFM ports. They work fine, except the hinge stupidly had a stainless bolt surrounded by aluminum. Prior owner did not use TefGel, so the hinge no longer holds the port up. If installed properly, I would recommend them.

 

[Warren Holybee]

The replacement portlight that came with my boat is a Bomar 414AD Angled Spigot. 4 x14" as they measure it. (The opening)
I'm not sure what brand is actually in the 1/4 berth. Very similar to the Bomar though. If not identical.
Mitchell

Those look like Grey ports. Grey has been sold a few times, and at one time Bomar owned the brand. Now owned by Pompanette. The original Grey had 2 hinges on the lens. The newer versions have 3. But otherwise the lenses are identical and interchangeable. The portlight in my head has the original frame, with a newer replacement lens. All of my other ports are the newer version. I believe the straight spigot is correct for our boats. All of mine are straight.