Pearson365 ports

[tom0Shea]

I own a 1976 Pearson365. Great boat, Lately one of the forward 5x12 ports has been leaking. Its a metal port, probably aluminum , so its not Beckson. Does anyone know who makes metal ports for the Pearson, and are the seals still available.
Thanks

[Dale Tanski]

That metal port was surly added by a prior owner.  As you mentioned the opening ports supplied by Pearson were Beckson.  I hope you can determine who made it but keep in mind in 2008 42% of all marine related businesses went out of business. So... even if you know whose port it is, there is a 42% chance that builder went under in 2008.  Today were are still trying to determine who survived this latest round of disaster but it is becoming clear that many marine suppliers are no longer with us.

Check out New Found Metals ports.  That could be your answer.

Dale
Obersheimers
Maruska Hull #40

[tom0Shea]

Dale, Thank you I'll check out New Found Metal ports. My chat with Beckson supports your info.
tom O'Shea

[Jim S]

A photo of the port would help.

[tom0Shea]

I've attached a photo of my Pearson 365 port. Hope that helps.
Thanks all.
Tom

[Jim S]

It is not like my bronze New Found Metal 5x12 ports, but the gasket in on the lens.

[tom0Shea]

Jim S, I'm not sure what metal is used on my port - it's not what I would expect to be bronze color, if that's definitive. Since the gasket  is on the lens  would it help if I took a closer pic of just the lens.
Thanks tom
PS I'll look again at the newfound metal site to see if I can find a match

[Jim S]

Similar but not the same.  NFM uses turn dogs to compress the gasket.

[Dale Tanski]

I have seen a few of those in my days but have never figured out who made those suckers.  The dead give away is the compression turnbuckle in the center.  For what reason Im not sure but they will hold up the moon.

Dale

[ahmurr]

I think these standard Pearson opening ports were made by a company called Rostand in Connecticut.  I think they are cast aluminum.  The gasket material is still readily available and will easily be removable from the channel for replacement.  The safety glass can also be replaced if needed and the port is easy to re-bed:  I used butyl tape to do it recently on one port that had a crack in the glass which required replacement.  The port has set screws for adjustment in addition to the dogs, so the leak may be amenable to some tinkering to get it to be water tight.  If any of the small screws which hold the glass in place are stuck, Aerokroil is a great product to help loosen them.