DIY Porthole Gaskets

[ReddOne]

The non-opening portholes on my Westerly 28 are leaking so I decided to pull them and re-bed so as to properly fix the leaks. Once out, I disassembled the aluminum frame and found the gaskets to be absolutely crap.

I have thus far completely failed at finding replacement gaskets so I am going to simply bed the glass into the frame using 4200 or some similar caulking.

Anyone done this or have any suggestions before I begin?

[mitiempo]

What kind of frames are they? Can you post a picture?

[Boatsmith]

We use Sikaflex for both mineral glass and acrylic. There is a Dow product I am hearing good things about that is much cheaper but I have no personal experience with it. David

[CaptainForce]

You might want to look at some of the stock at Griffith Rubber Mills in Portland, Oregon. 'possibly a good application. Take care and joy, Aythya crew

[MARC2012]

wefco rubber canoga park ca 818 886 8872.Have not personally used but supposed to be good.marc

[ccriders]

Go to Catalina Direct: Aluminum Window Reseal Kit C-22, CP-25 and see if this gasket kit will work for you. These extrusions were used on lots of boats.
John

[QuickMick]

they have this stuff:

Holland Marine Products

which might work. you may need some buytl tape too

oh, click on the 'grey window gasket' link in the link, it didnt copy properly

[ReddOne]

Originally Posted by mitiempo

What kind of frames are they? Can you post a picture?

Sorry it took so long for the pics but here they are...



The gasket kit from the Catalina Direct website might work but I think I might just bed the glass into the frames using caulking. Will that work? Should I use shims to keep the glass an even distance from the frame?
Anyhow, thanks for all the help!

[jrd22]

I just re-sealed the pilothouse windows in our boat and got a recommendation from Faster to use Dow Corning 795. It worked perfectly, adhered to the polycarb, stainless and fiberglass. Our windows were bedded with what I think was 4200, and it did NOT stick to the poly. I roughed up the poly with coarse sandpaper where the sealant was going to contact it to help adhesion but I don't think it was necessary. Other members also swear by the DC 795. Don't know where you are but Atlas Supply in Seattle carries it.

[PorFin]

Redd,

Are those panes glass, or are they plex or acrylic? If they are plastic, then that's going to constrain your choice of sealants. If they are regular glass, then your options are a little broader. The primary reason you shouldn't use polysulfide sealants on plastic is that the sealant will weaken the pane and make it crack. The DC795 (or similar silicone sealant) will not.