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A boat that interests me has four 4 x 22 and six 4 x 14 ports. None open and have lexan bolted and siliconed to the outside. Is it worth going overboard and buying bronze ports,which my wife thinks are beautiful but costly but maybe worth it, I on the other hand think the plastic ones are fine,we are not going blue watering or anything serious. How Difficult is it to replace ports with new ones whether they are plastic or bronze I am reasonably skilled with about thirty years of cabinet making experience, and all the tools I think I would need to do the job. I have never taken a port off and replaced one so I would appreciate all advise from those who have been there and done that?
Did that, tremendous amount of work. Replaced ten portlights, six 7x15''s and four 5x12''s. You will have trouble finding a perfect fit so will either have to glass in or cut out. I had to glass new plywood core, not just for the drain cutouts but all around. And they do not drain, if you have an angled cabinside then the water will lie in the portlight. Mine do not leak, they look nice, and they make for a much stronger cabin. But you better be careful when opening. Mine are NFM''s(www.newfoundmetals.com)
H37Skipper,
Am interested in what type of NFM ports you installed. Bronze or Stainless?
I am planing to replace my old bronze ports because they also are installed on a slight slant and do not drain. The Stainless ones from NFM have a drain spigot so had hoped they would work OK. If not, guess I might as well save my money!
Mine are bronze. Friend with same boat is doing stainless. Did not know that there was a difference in drainage. Mine do have a small droop at each end but that''s not enough to drain. Even with that a good wave or rain will leave water about 3/4" up on the glass. Not a problem until you open it.
A trick I have not tried because of aesthetics is gluing heavy yarn at the two drain areas. Idea is that it will wick away the water. Maybe your cabin sides are not as sloped as mine. Thinking 15 degrees.
Thanks for the information. I would guess my cabin trunk sides are about 15 degrees also. I did order one stainless port, so will take a good look at it regarding it''s drainage capability.
My bronze ports have apparently been installed for many years. They even have a "waterline" etched on the glass from standing water. As you said, they don''t leak but you''d better remember to remove the water before opening!
Thanks again
Jim
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