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Port lights

schlepper

schlepper

John m. Harrison
I have a 1982 383, hull #037. My port lights are plastic, likely the originals and some are not totally functional.

Surely all 383 hulls and cabins were molded the same, so is there somewhere i can order brand new port lights that carries the exact type needed for the 383 port, starboard and cockpit/quarterberth without having to take all of them apart, measure, etc etc??
 
John
If you don't want to go for the expensive, made in China, ports, try Beckson in Bridgeport CT. They make the exact fit replacements and they have great rain shields that go with them. They will also make the extra deep units for the head and quarterberth.

Jim
 
I can speak for New Found Metals port lights I put them on my Sabre. they are 100% quality install easily and do not leak.
First I had put in a gray marine/ Tampa and it looked like Hunter windows, and it leaked. So I ripped it out put sheet plastic and duct tape over the whole and ordered the New Found Metals windows..
They are not cheep but will last a life time and a half.. and no leaks ! spring loaded opening ports !
 
I know Jim Ball will take issue with this, but years ago when I was about to purchase NFM ports, I had a discussion with the owner at a boat Show. He was at the time moving his manufacturing facility to china. I am a people person, especially an American people person. When I asked him what his plans were for his employees in Washington State, his answer was " I fired them ". Not what I would consider to be good business practice for America.
Now Jim is going to say that I am pushing an agenda. Well that's too bad!
 
Another option, which I hve, are Atkins and Hoyle, from Canada. Painted aluminum. I like them. I have not yet replaced the quarter berth port, but that is on my list.
 
I sailed to Toronto this summer and was amazed how many people admired the 383.
One sailor asked if it was a Morris! The moulded in blue "M" must have confused him.

He should have known by looking at me.... but God bless the Canadians! I'm not a blue balzer type, my T shirt should have given it away. Kudos to New Found Metals & Cetol Naturak Teak!

Jim - I had no idea.... I agree. support America!

Its a good product though. Installation is a bit complex as the NFM window is a bit larger than the OEM. If there's a quality bolt-in replacement for less give it consideration. My 2 cents
 
Amen to that Dave!
Not bragging (okay a little) but when we are are visiting other places we notice that the gawkers always come to check out our boat while passing up taking pictures of many other boats. The Morgan not only looks great when taken care of but sails great too!
When Cheryl and Alan visited us for lunch we sat as they bee lined right for the Morgan. It's a classic.
 
The issue is port lights, in by bias opinion, the Chinese port lights look old fashion. There are many flush mounted port lights that are not a hazard to a sailors lower leg or a something for your sheets to hang up on, and look modern to the eye, painted or aluminum finish.

Yes, we all know the Morgan is a great classic boat!
 
Don't forget there are a lot more people who visit this site than there are the "regular members".
They may not know a lot about the Morgan 3 series and are researching the boat. We found the Morgan site 6 years ago helpful.
By reading comments and information here we found it to part of our decision to buy the boat because of the amount of information was great.
There was more info than we could find on most other sites.
Again, not bragging but we are one of those fortunate people who could afford to buy one of those "expensive" boats if we wanted to...we just really liked the Morgan.
5 years later we still do...even more!
 
Jim, I have to disagree.
I don't think SS ports are old fashion. My opinion is that they add a classic (read classy) look to the boat. In the same fashion a SS dorade looks better than plastic. The SS makes them "pop". All subjective of course.

I'm just glad they don't leak!

I think Morgan draws the eye at the dock because of the bulwarks. There's a sense of safety and seaworthyness imparted. Mr. Brewer's classic lines do not hurt either. It looks like a proper sea boat.
Dave
 
Rolf,
What model Morgan do you have? I don't see the large fixed port in the nav station area.
 
A word and with some experience, when offshore and in rough conditions, you do not want to be propelled against any hard objects. I again voice my opinion that these port lights are, or can be a hazard in seaway. If you have them, I would cover with a towel or foam to protect your head and eyes.

Again, my 2 cents to the Wall of Wisdom.
 
There are a million hard things below. I never do it, but I know I should at least wear a bicycle helmet in rough conditions. A friend (not on the board) did it religiously on his 382 after he suffered a serious concussion in the middle of the Pacific Ocean while sailing alone.
 
A million hard objects at head and eye level Terry? Wearing a helmet? Why not lessen potential issues? Safety in rough seas is an issue unless you always sail in no wind.
 
Come on Jim...
You can hurt yourself colliding with the original Pompanette or your Lewmar portlights too - or even the edge of the cabin top, a light fixture, or edge of the chart table... I do not regard the NFM ports to be a significantly greater safety hazard. Minimizing and controllling risk is always prudent. Perhaps we shoud spray the entire interior with foam - provides a cushion as well as thermal and sound insulation.
 
I have to agree with Jim on this one. I have been beaten up down below offshore.They look deadly to me.
 
Alan is right

There's a reason they use them on the most expensive sailing yachts...Passport, Island Packets, Oysters, etc.


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No because of safety.
They are tough as nails..but then you could always get those really cheap and "safe" Hunter, Beneteau/Jeauneau plastic fantastic ones.

If you like em... great. To each his own. Not saying anyone has to like them...just suggestions for each sailor to decide. We all like our boats I guess.
 
I do not cheap out. but they are as dangerous as nails. I think you all know how I feel about chinese anything,junk.Like you said "to each his own".
 
Rich
Did I miss a picture of your port lights?
I would like to see them. If they are the plastic ones I have seen them break off a piece and turn into a razor sharp scalpel. So like Alan said we can all help each other out by pointing out things someone might not know about or have thought about.
Perhaps yours are fine. Good sailing to you.
 
Well, I will certainly add to my awareness that these new ports of mine might cause an injury in a seaway. The good news is that all the parts are rounded and smooth, There is only two dogs to hit instead of three, smaller plastic ones. The do stick out a but further than the old ones though.

I will say, however, that the ones they replaced were cracked and leaking, and with three dogs per port, and 4 dogs on two overhead ports ALL of which were knobs you have to turn and turn and turn, it took me a LONG time to close off the rain. These new ones are much easier to manage, will withstand a serious dousing of wave (at least a much as the fiberglass itself), and will likely remain clear enough to see through for the next (hopefully) many years I sail on this boat!!.

I did not know about the China connection. I might have kept looking, though I really like the ports.

Great to hear everyone's thoughts on this.
 
How about 1/4" neoprene covers for rough sailing? You could probably make a big donut shape to stretch over the frame so that you still get light. Or just get a strip and wrap around and attach with velcro.

I could come up with lots more ways to put bump protection on them. Cut rigid foam to fit over them...

For me, metal trumps plastic.
 
These port lights are not safe inside or out. I ask, look at the sharp angles outside at ankle height, and inside at head level? They may look pretty and classic, but that is not always good. Plastic? There are many alternatives besides NFM and those are not plastic like the original crap. Common sense prevails as anything in sailing. Check out Lewmar and other manufacturers that sell other port lights that do not corrode.
 
Jim,
Do you have any other pictures of the spinnaker pole attached to the mast? I was thinking of doing something like that.
Helene
 
Usually in rough sailing conditions, at least on my boat, there is almost no movement activity down in the cabin. The exception, going to the head or grabbing a quick snack. Very little likelihood of being propelled into one of the ports. If conditions are severe enough to make it risky walking around down there, you are probably taking a lot of spray aboard and the ports are closed. So far, in the 10 years I've cruised full time in the NW and SW Caribbean, neither I or anyone crewing with me, has suffered an injury from hitting one of the ports, or anything else in the cabin for that matter. Maybe we have just been lucky.
 
Bill, I guess you and your crew have been lucky. In my experience, not everyone enjoys sitting in the cockpit when sea and wind conditions get really bad. Getting injured below or while going below is quite common; getting drinks, cooking, hitting or attempting to pee, changing into foul weather gear, just to name a few.

To John, "most expensive sailing yachts...Passport, Island Packets, Oysters, etc." Most of those boats are built in China where labor and materials are inexpensive.

We all make choices in outfitting and if you are happy, that's all that counts!
 
So, I was lucky enough to get to fly from Portland, OR out to DC and go to the Annapolis Sailboat show. Quite the overwhelming gathering of boats, accessories, and people. The Gunboat or Antares are on my short list after I win the lottery.

I was walking thru one of the tents and saw Newfound Metals booth. I then spent (a long) time feeling the edges of their portlights. I think the sales guy thought I was some kind of portlight pervert.

Finally, to my relief, he asked what I was doing.

I totally respect anyone's right to their opinions. My opinion is that the edges do not represent a hazard, unless the spigot is too long, then indeed, it seems like it could shred a misplaced ankle, especially in a seaway.

IMHO, reasonable folks may disagree on this.

I have to say that one of my highlights of the show was chatting with Hans, the owner of the company that makes Monitor Windvanes. Fun fella to talk with and lots of stories.
 
Again I must interject, please tell me why these portlights are safe in a seaway. Please note the human head position in relation to portlight dogs. These portlights may be fine in a vessel where they are installed out of danger, but just think about where they could impact your head or eye. I believe, inside your boat, you should think, what could I be propelled against that could hurt me or the crew?

Again, just my 2 cents.


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Jim
Why do you bring up the safety issue of others' choices again rather than answer Ken's question to you regarding the ports you used?
I think this has been debated to the point that it only results in disagreement rather than constructive discussion. You are fond or telling others to check the archives rather than restate something again. Why not follow your own advice and let this go?
 
I am not sure if Jim posted the correct response. I am interested in the Lewmar's. They have several sizes, all with much larger vertical dimensions. Jim, did you use size 1?
 
Sorry Ken and Alan, I do not recall the size but I did have to enlarge the opening a small amount. All were very straight forward to install except for the head. There I custom made a thicker inside trim piece. I added one in the Galley and the Quarter berth. I believe they come with bug screens. Catalina used to give a discount to Morgan owners, but I'm not sure if that still happens. Can't hurt to inquire though!
 
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