Bronze portlight install

[GBurton]

Can someone tell me if or why I should use silcone bronze screws to throughbolt the portlights? Also, I want to use acorn nuts but cannot find any silicone bronze acorn nuts....should I use stainless nuts?

Thanks.....

[AjariBonten]

Have you tried Hamilton Marine for the acorn nuts?

I would be inclined to use a similar metal for the nut, even though it's not submerged.

I love Bronze.

[sailingdog]

GBurton-

I would use silicon bronze screws, but you could probably get away with using stainless steel acorn nuts on the interior, especially if you use TefGel or LanOcote to prevent galvanic corrosion issues. The interior should be dry... so the real dangers of galvanic corrosion are minimal—unless you've done a really lousy job of installing the ports.

[JohnRPollard]

Originally Posted by GBurton

Can someone tell me if or why I should use silcone bronze screws to throughbolt the portlights? Also, I want to use acorn nuts but cannot find any silicone bronze acorn nuts....should I use stainless nuts?

Thanks.....

GBurton,

What are the portlights frames made of? Aluminum, stainless, plastic, bronze, chromed bronze?

If bronze, I would stick with all silicone bronze hardware (nuts and bolts). If chromed-bronze, all stainless hardware would probably look better. There must be a source for s/b acorn nuts since we have them on our boat and I've often seen them on others. Hamilton MArine might have them, but my first look would be at Jamestown Distributors.

Edit: As for the interior of the portlights being dry, in theory yes. However, if you are installing solid bronze, through-bolted portlights, be aware that the interiors will "sweat" when there is enough interior/exterior temperature gradient. These portlights conduct both heat and cold, so in the winter will feel quite cold to the touch, leading humidity (from our breath and/or the propane stove) to condense on their surface.

[sailingdog]

Good point JRP... forgot about the condensation issues...

[GBurton]

Cheers John -
They are bronze. I have tried mightily to get bronze acorn nuts but cannot find them.

Originally Posted by JohnRPollard

GBurton,

What are the portlights frames made of? Aluminum, stainless, plastic, bronze, chromed bronze?

If bronze, I would stick with all silicone bronze hardware (nuts and bolts). If chromed-bronze, all stainless hardware would probably look better. There must be a source for s/b acorn nuts since we have them on our boat and I've often seen them on others. Hamilton MArine might have them, but my first look would be at Jamestown Distributors.

Edit: As for the interior of the portlights being dry, in theory yes. However, if you are installing solid bronze, through-bolted portlights, be aware that the interiors will "sweat" when there is enough interior/exterior temperature gradient. These portlights conduct both heat and cold, so in the winter will feel quite cold to the touch, leading humidity (from our breath and/or the propane stove) to condense on their surface.

[Rockter]

Yes, bronze, bronze and more bronze.

[JohnRPollard]

Here are some in brass, which might be okay:

http://www.jamestowndistributors.com...%28Cap%29+Nuts

You might also check with Rostand in Utah at 801-280-2400.

Or MArine Fastener Wharehouse at http://store01.prostores.com/servlet...use/StoreFront

Or CCFasteners.com

I will try to think of others. But in the interim you could just use standard s/b hex nuts until you come across the acorns. I'm sure you have plenty of other projects....

[Sapperwhite]

Originally Posted by JohnRPollard

As for the interior of the portlights being dry, in theory yes. However, if you are installing solid bronze, through-bolted portlights, be aware that the interiors will "sweat" when there is enough interior/exterior temperature gradient. These portlights conduct both heat and cold, so in the winter will feel quite cold to the touch, leading humidity (from our breath and/or the propane stove) to condense on their surface.

I have 10 bronze ports and they sweat like crazy in the winter when its nice and toasty down below and frigid outside. Sometimes they sweat so much they drip.