We just had a weekend of wind and rain here in the SF Bay area. I was off the boat for most of it but when I got back on Monday morning, I found several small leaks and one larger one. It should go without saying that the biggest leak was directly over the place where I sleep in the forepeak under the port side opening portlight.
I figured I would do the logical things - remove and rebed the port light frame and replace the gasket. The frame doesn't come out of its place easily - in fact, I haven't been able to get it out. I hate to do anything drastic until I've head from someone who has already done this.
Also, does anyone know who is the manufacturer of the port lights? Mine appears to be a heavy aluminum frame. The frame is approximately 14" x 8" - the opening is about 11 1/2" x 5 3/8". Is it possible to find the original gasket for the opening part of the window or do I just hunt around for something that fits the groove?
Frame - shown from inside
(http://i1151.photobucket.com/albums/o638/SailorRalph/_MG_7444.jpg)
Frame - shown from outside
(http://i1151.photobucket.com/albums/o638/SailorRalph/_MG_7446.jpg)
Opening portion
(http://i1151.photobucket.com/albums/o638/SailorRalph/_MG_7445.jpg)
Ralph,
I had the same port in our head so possibly it may have been an "opening port" option from the factory or just a bad coincidence. I recognize the spreader bar for sure but haven't a clue who made it and it had no markings anywhere. Leaked like a sieve even when it wasn't raining. The rubber gasket was hard as a rock.
As I recall the screws are a screw on one side and a female thread on the other. They were that same deal as yours, Phillips head on the outside and straight on the inside. That was a head scratcher but you got WAY more of yours out than I did. I think they call them sex bolts but they use them in carpenters hand saw handles to hold the wooden halves on around the blade butt. They were a bitch to get out in fact I remember drilling the majority of the heads out and punching the remaining section of fastener out with a drift punch and big hammer.
To get it out of the boat I pounded a putty knife between the inner ring flange and the cabin liner and then a cold chisel between the inner ring and the putty knife so as not to damage the fiberglass. This allowed me to get some separation between the inner and outer rings. Once there was a gap they parted with reasonable persuasion. I wasn't saving it so damage was not an issue and I could go the take no prisoners route.
As far as a replacement gasket goes you could use an O-ring that fits the grove and glue it in. You can buy the O-ring material by the foot, cut it to length and glue the O-ring together with super glue. Weatherstrip adhesive from any auto parts store should do the trick for gluing it into the gasket groove.
Good luck...
Dale
Thanks, Dale
I figured out the part about the "sex bolts" but not until I was trying to put it back together. Since it is rather difficult to be inside and outside at the same time, I haven't quite been able to get it all back together. I hope I can get a helper on board before it starts to rain again!
I will look for gasket material. Mine was pretty solid as well.
Did yours come out without damage? I am not quite ready to replace mine. I would hate to damage it so it leaks even worse.
I have the same ports and replaced the gasket last spring with O-ring material I bought from McMaster Carr. Their item #9700K19: Buna-N Square O-Ring Cord Stock, 5/16" Fractional Size, .313" Actual Size. Here's the link to the catalog page (http://www.mcmaster.com/#catalog/118/3495/=fz2fmk), scroll down for the item. It's worked well so far.
Dirk
Ralph,
If you are going to order the O-ring material please, order some extra. I will buy it from you. I am not on the boat, but I think I have 4 of these opening ports. May be able to give you a hand with this...
Carl
Well well, the theory of this mysterious aluminum non decrypt port being an optional opening port for Pearson is looking more realistic with every post. As I believe there is no such thing as coincidence in the first place, what are the odds!
Ralph, my screen popped right out (in actually) and I was able to work through the hole to attempt fastener removal. Your screen looks to be gooped in which enhances your leaking problem. Any water that becomes trapped between the glass and that dam of goop that holds your screen in place just holds the water there until it evaporates or leaks into your boat. My loose frame around the screen allowed any trapped water to run off to the outside, still leaked but hey.
Carl
Ah, that would explain why I get drips on a morning when there is no rain but there is a heavy dew.
I have done some cleaning up of the opening since the picture was taken, but I think I will do some more now - to the point that I can remove the screen. Whoever did the last "repair" on the port seemed to think that indiscriminant smearing of lots of goop was the way to go.
Also, my mailing address is Placerville and I get up there on a very irregular basis so it will be a while before I get any gasket material here on the boat. If you want to order, I will buy some from you :-) I have three opening ports I would like to overhaul.
Ralph
Hey Dale - Captain Maruska!
Should I be flattered that you sign your last posting here with my name? At least it isn't my checkbook...
Carl
Oops - I read Dale's signature and didn't look at his profile info. I thought that post was from Carl :) Dale may have been puzzled by my reference to buying gasket material.
I was apparently channeling Carl during that post!
Now I am even confussed.
Well.... here is thinking about you Carl.
Wally
** CAUTION ** CAUTION ** CAUTION ** CAUTION ** CAUTION ** CAUTION ** CAUTION ** CAUTION ** CAUTION ** CAUTION ** CAUTION ** CAUTION **
Prolonged overexposure to Super glue and weatherstrip adhesive may cause adverse effects to the liver, urinary, blood-forming and reproductive systems. Reports have associated repeated and prolonged overexposure to Super glue and weatherstrip adhesive with permanent brain and nervous system damage. User may even forget their own birth name. The use of a drool cup is reccommended.
Ed
This explains so much...
Does anyone have Stainless steel opening portlights...cabin and VeeBirth opening windows....On the outside mine look like well kept Aluminum..but in side they look like shinny stainless steel...they open and look great for 1978 windows....did these come as an option.....if so...they have to been very high dollar
I have found that if you need a "fix before it rains, & I can't get the part I need" repair for port lights, use standard EPDM weatherstripping from the hardware store.
Pliable, cheap, self adhesive & stops leaks while you wait for the product that you plan to be permanent.