Port Hole Replacement

[Harborless]

One of the projects I am working on for my boat is replacing two of my port holes in the main cabin. I want to replace them with ones that can open up to allow for increased circulation.
However, I have six port holes in all and was only contemplating changing the two until I did some reading.
With plans of making some carribean runs in the n ear future I want to ask how I can test the strength of my current portholes and how do I know if they are too weak strcutually to handle offshore passages? Boat is a 1979 AMF Paceship with orignal ports. All input appreciated.

[saillife]

I am finishing this project up on my boat now. I will put in a recommendation for new found metal portholes. Competent people and a very nice product. No association with the company, just a satisfied customer.

I'm just tossing out an idea here. No real experience.
Once you replace the first two you could rig up a test with them. Reinstall them in a fake cabin side & abuse them until they break. Dropping a bag of sand of know weight on them would be a good start. IIRC Salt water weighs 68 pounds per cubic foot. I'm sure someone knows how to figure the force of impact for a given height on the drop.

[abode]

what company did you use. I have 8 ports on a bombay clipper but the price has kept me from replacing them

[dacap06]

Originally Posted by abode

what company did you use.

He bought his portlights from New Found Metals, Inc. Hope the hyperlink helps!

Tom

[abode]

Thanks, still to pricey for my old girl. I have the ability to poor bronze. I'm considering making molds from the plastic ones and pouring my own.