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Portlight Replacements

B

barefoot

Scott J Brown
One set of items on the M-382/3/4 that, in my opinion, is not up
to the quality standards of the boat is the portlights. Several
of mine have cracked or broken pieces. Rather than replace them
with other plastic ones, even if they fit the openings, I would
rather find brass or stainless portlights that can be fitted with
a reasonable amount of modification to the openings. Does anyone
have any ideas or experience doing this?

 
Lenny. I replaced all of my Gray Marine ports with New Found Metal silicon bonze ports. Silicon bronze is just about as strong as SS and is, in most applications, more nobel. When polished and coated with an clear acrylic coating they are very attractive. NFM bronze ports are about $135/port. They are suitable for coastal work. They through bolt through the coach roof, but I would use storm shutters if I were circumnavigating. NFM phone # is 360-385-3315. They are located in Washington state. My only real complaint was on the service. The ports sell so quickly that it's difficult to get your order filled. Allow plenty of time to finish the job. I plan on writing an article for the Newsletter regarding this topic this winter.
 
Jay -- That sounds like a great idea for the newsletter -- I'm sure that a lot of folks would be interested. A couple of questions: Do the NFM ports fit the holes exactly, or is cutting necessary (and, if so, how much)? How hard is it to get the old ports out? Why are the NFM ports, by themselves, inadequate for offshore work? Thanks!
 
<div>Lenny. The Gray Marine ports are installed with screws. One set for the port and one set for the trim ring. I removed the screws, tapped an old putty knife in between the trim ring and coach roof, worked in around the trim ring (repeating as necessary) and pried it off. Repeat the same drill on the port light and pry and pound it out. Be careful not to ripe the teak venier off the inside coach roof. Make sure it is cut free. The ports close with a one turn latch. They adjust with a allen wrench. Once adjusted, half turn to open or close. It they were hit with a solid wave, which could be literally tons of force, I believe the dogs would fail. However, I believe they would withstand a roll over. These ports are casted and they're not identical to one another. You can't tell any difference by looking, but you cannot enterchange the trim rings and ports. Each trim ring is drilled and tapped for its sister port. They are a matched set. The ports are bueatiful silcon bronze with tempered glass lenses. The lense is set in a automotive type gasket and floats in the opening of the port. It should last 20 years.--Jay--
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<div>Lenny. Forget one thing. The ports are slightly bigger that the orginals. The radius in the corner is the biggest area and the drains are bigger. I was able to use wood rasps to remove enough material to make them fit. No sawing required. You will need an extra long spigot for the head. I did not replace the port in the quarter berth. I quess that was three extra things.--Jay--
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Lenny take a look in the archieved files I have a memo in there on Traditional Marine Outfitters from Nova Scotia with phone numbers etc. They have both brass and SS ports, I used SS and they have an interior deminsions of 5 1/2 by 15 inches, the holes must be enlarged( a job). Also had an extension added to the head port. Good luck.

 
I replaced the ports on my 83' M384 hull #9 this past spring with the S.S. ports from Traditional Marine Outfitters. They are very nice and from what I can tell virtually the same as other brand name ports that sell for double the money. I also put formica on the inside of the cabin sides (around the portlights) to brighten the cabin and it was a substantial amount of work to install them. I had to enlarge the openings slightly (hard dirty work). The final product was worth the effort.
 
<div>Lenny; I've been looking at this for some time. The Island
Packet 37 next to our slip has very nice ports made by
Whitewater Marine, right size but very expensive (Approx.
$550). Recently I saw a Tartan 3800 with ports that looked
about right. The guy at Tartan said they were Hood ports.
I checked with the Hood people at the Annapolis show. You
might want to call them. I intend to follow up. The guy at
Tartan offered a good price for what appears to be a quality
unit.
We only met one other 38 couple at the Catalina booth. Where
was everyone? Larry
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I replaced all the portlights on my 38 with the Hood opening port. Was a very good move but expensive. I replaced the large ports with plexiglass pieces screwed onto the outside of the hull. Only problem with this was the finishing on the inside. E-mail if you need ore info.
Capt. Bob
 
Lenny, the previous owner of ADAVIDA put in atkins and hoyle aluminum ports (painted white). (a Canadian company). they cost about $150 a piece, I think, but I may remember that wrong. They are high quality, look good (unobtrusive) and,although I am not sure, I think they fit the original holes. I like them a lot and they got good ratings from Practical Sailor, I think.
 
I have a aluminum colvin gazelle and the interierrings that hold the glass have broke thay look like willcox critten or something the glass diameter is 7" DOSE ANY ONE KNOW WHERE i can find replacements thanks
 
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