Portlight Hood ??

[dbruce85]

In the last few weeks, in one of the many emails I get from boat supppliers, I saw a clear plastic Portlight hood, for lack of a better description.
It fits over the exterior of the port light and covers the top half or so keeping the rain out when the portlight is open.
It was one of those, I should save this link, I guess I didn't.
Does anyone know where to order these?
Thanks,

David

[dbruce85]

Thanks to a back issue of Good Old Boat (July/August 2010), I answered my own question.

Can be found at,

Seaworthy Goods ~ Smart Stuff. Smart Boats. ~ Home of PortVisors

[Frogwatch]

I used to have some on my S2. They were flexible so if you stepped on em they would not break. All of em I see now do not look flexible.

[SoulVoyage]

I'm not sure how well they work. I've always had my doubts. But I guess as long as it's not a sideways, wind-driven rain, they work ok.

They're sure ugly, though. A great way to ruin the nice lines on ANY sailboat.

But I guess when it 89 degrees and raining, comfort trumps beauty any day!!

Here's an alternative solution that is found on Cherubini sailboats:



Cherubini porthole hood text:


"...The portholes on Cherubini boats are unique. They look simple, but they are very subtle and sophisticated. They open from the top and have a special tray as part of the casting on the bottom that collects any water coming in and drains it outside the cabin. Ports can be left open in the rain and under most sailing conditions. Between these unique ports and the Dorade ventilators, the boats are always very well ventilated, whether under sail, at anchor, or at a dock. You won't have to climb out of bed in the middle of the night to close hatches and portholes when there is rainfall!

In addition, these portholes are easy to maintain. If the glass is broken or scratched, it is very easy to replace. The glass does not abut wood, so sanding and varnishing of the wooden surfaces is simplified. The windows seal shut with simple weather stripping; they do not require regular replacement of out-of-production gasket material. The experienced yachtsman will appreciate all these features.

These portholes are proprietary to Cherubini Yachts and available only on Cherubini 44s and 48s. "


NOTE: As to the hoods you reference in that link (PortVisors), I see that their utility to keep out rain might be limited by the slope of your cabin sides.

[RickWestlake]

Another manufacturer is EBuyMarine.com - their "Port-Vents" are perhaps a little deeper (come down a little lower on ports), and they're made in smoke-tinted polycarbonate. They also make Port-Vents fitted to several Lewmar portlights.

I installed Lewmar #4 ports to replace the forward deadlights on Bossa Nova, my MacGregor 26X, and I put Port-Vents over them. They do a good job of keeping out rain, except when I'm towing the boat on a trailer in the rain or I'm sailing in rambunctious conditions.