[C320-list] Opening Port leaking, considering replacement

[Tim]

Hi All-
hope the sailing is good so far this summer for those in the NE.
Couple of questions....1. I've replaced the o-rings and my ports still drip, so is there a way to replace the gasket around the frame for the lens?2. how tight should the locking levers be? I've tried really tight where I need to loosen with a screw driver before I can open and loose enough that I can open by hand...both leaked.3. If I replace with the "new" ones from Catalinadirect, is this fairly simple job? Is there a better supplier?4. Lastly Catalinadirect states that the C320 has seven (7) of these, while not on the boat I can only count 6. 4 in the salon and 2 in the aft berth. I recall that some C320s may have had one near the galley. True?
Thx
TimCalypso #603

[Elizabeth Schwartz]

Ahoy.....We have three in aft berth.....port side of cockpit may have
been overlooked if only looking from below......Joe...245

[thar...@innovations-plus.com]

If you send me your email I will forward the steps. I just fixed my leaking windows from the excellent gentlemen here on this forum.

It is not hard at all.

Ted hull 424

thar...@innovations-plus.com

Sent from my iPhone

[Scott Westwood]

Ours ('98) has 7.  Hard to remember from inside but if you crawl to the port side of the aft birth there is one in the far forward port side of the aft birth.  You can see it better from the cockpit outside (port side). We often forget about this one. 
I would suggest trying something else before you go re-bedding the entire portal.  There was just a thread a while back about this very thing and it solved our leaking portals.
Looking from the outside... If your portals have a silver colored frame that has an upper and lower half then it's probably the gasket between those halves.  The newer portals (if memory serves) have a single "joint" at the bottom.  The older ones (most of us) have an upper and lower half with a seem on both sides.  If you pick/dig out the old gasket material and replace it with a sealant it will probably stop the leaks.  We used a butyl sealant you can buy in roles at Lowes or Home Depot. We just crammed it in until we couldn't get any more in there then dress it up. Others may have used other sealants.
There was a thread before that explained it in more detail but I did that on all our portals and even the windows below the gunnels.  No more leaks.
Good Luck


Scott Westwood scottw...@bellsouth.net
H (919)-362-8538C (919)-618-7185

[Brian Borchers]

Tim,

Your hull number suggest it is a 1999. In 1999, the aft inboard starboard Lewmar port was removed and replaced with a Lewmar hatch. Therefore, there are only six on your boat.

Slainte
#608

[Millers]

Has anyone installed a recessed latch? Or did Catalina every fix this nasty feature ...,,it has caught more legs as people go past the cockpit table in the up position
Art. #680

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[Denny Browne]

My crew just broke the hasp in a race and I heard them complain about it for the first time after years of racing. I just took it off, and I'm thinking of installing a new on the aft edge of the compartment. Also thinking of routing out a 3/4"x3" section where the old one was in lieu of a handle.

I'm also eager to hear ideas on a recessed lock.

Denny Browne
A Cappella #935
Redondo Beach

Sent from iPhone, sorry for typos, grammar, etc...

[Doug Treff]

Tim,

I made the repair using the method linked below. I can say that without
a doubt it worked. Try this BEFORE you go replacing the entire window
and see if it solves your problem. If you devote 1 entire day to making
this repair, you could fix all of your windows in one session. Get them
all taped up first and then go around with the caulk and do each one
like an assembly line. I used the white 4200 and it looks factory. You
can buy a cheap set of dental picks at Harbor freight that will help you
yank out the old gasket material. You DO NOT NEED TO REMOVE THE WINDOWS.

Below is a link to a blog article from someone who owns a C-36 and
repaired his fixed ports the same way. These fixed ports (like the ones
we have on our C320's) also have the same joint in the frame, though
mine haven't leaked yet. The pictures are very useful and if you've
spent any amount of time studying your ports, you can see that the
repair process is very similar. When you do yours, do it with the window
open, and make sure to tape off the inside of the frame as well as the
mating surface where the window closes and the o-ring to prevent getting
any sealant where it doesn't belong. I highly recommend caulking the
inside as well as the outside. The inside trim frame is only held on
with Velcro and will come off easily with a little tug.

http://blog.taas.it/2013/05/for-catalina-36-ia-community.html [1]

Good luck, and feel free to drop me a line if you have questions, as I
have done all of my windows this way even if they haven't leaked yet.

---
Doug Treff
Catalina 320 - 1996 - September Song - #350
http://savvysailor.blogspot.com/
do...@treff.us

Links:
------
[1] http://blog.taas.it/2013/05/for-catalina-36-ia-community.html

[thar...@innovations-plus.com]

I have sent the steps / process out as requested. If I missed you and you
would like a copy just provide your email.

Ted Hull 424

-----Original Message-----
From: C320-list [mailto:c320-lis...@lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf
Of Brian Borchers
Sent: July-03-15 7:49 AM
To: C320...@Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Opening Port leaking, considering replacement

[danb...@gmail.com]

Please send a copy to danb...@gmail.com. Thanks!






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[JJ Morrison]

there should be a process on our web site for repairing these leaking portlights. I have a 1999 and all 4 were leaking; I did the repair about 5 seasons ago and nary a drop since. I've not got the time now to describe the process but it is easy and it works. If no luck let me know and I'll describe the process...quite a few of us have done it and no need to replace the ports!CheersJohnM1999#574

[cary...@yahoo.com]

Do you need a lock? After banging into it often we removed it and used existing screw for the latch to attach a handle made from webbed strapping.

It works great and no more complaints.

H & C Hunt
Capricorn #818

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[Greg Flanagan]

I just removed all of my hasps and filled the holes with an epoxy filler. They were useless and dangerous to your shins in my mind. No thefts or any other problems so far.

Thanks,

Greg

Hoop Dancer # 1076

[Greg Flanagan]

And yes I too attached a web handle to the port locker. All others can be opened without a handle.

Greg
Hoop Dancer #1076

[Millers]

Thanks for the help. The hasps is removed. I will see if it is even needed.
Art. # 680

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