[C320-list] Port light?

[Jeffrey Brown via C320-list]

I have some water leaking in the side port light or whatever you call it. Trying to remove it so I can reseal it, but after removing the screws and plate that pulls it in I can’t get it out. Any suggestions? Maybe a heat gun to soften the sealant?

Jeff Brown
949-350-5123
Out of the Blue
Hull 77

[Dave Hupe via C320-list]

Interesting to find out how this goes for you .... luckily haven't had this issue with mine.  Might the problem be the vertical outside joints on the frame?  I have repeatedly heard about digging out those seals and sealing them again to resolve leaks.

Dave Hupe 
1994 C320 #32
Yahoo Mail: Search, Organize, Conquer


On Mon, Apr 29, 2024 at 11:44 AM, Jeffrey Brown via C320-list<c320...@lists.catalina320.com> wrote: I have some water leaking in the side port light or whatever you call it. Trying to remove it so I can reseal it, but after removing the screws and plate that pulls it in I can’t get it out. Any suggestions? Maybe a heat gun to soften the sealant?

[Jeffrey Brown via C320-list]

Thanks Dave. You might be right on the joint. Going to do a test to see
if that’s where it’s coming in. Removing that port light seems
impossible without creating a lot of damage to the fiberglass or
hardware.

Jeff Brown
949-350-5123

On Apr 29, 2024, at 8:53 AM, Dave Hupe <hoop...@yahoo.com> wrote:

Interesting to find out how this goes for you .... luckily haven't had

this issue with mine. Might the problem be the vertical outside joints
on the frame? I have repeatedly heard about digging out those seals
and sealing them again to resolve leaks.
Dave Hupe
1994 C320 #32

[1]Yahoo Mail: Search, Organize, Conquer

On Mon, Apr 29, 2024 at 11:44 AM, Jeffrey Brown via C320-list
<c320...@lists.catalina320.com> wrote:

I have some water leaking in the side port light or whatever you call
it. Trying to remove it so I can reseal it, but after removing the
screws and plate that pulls it in I can’t get it out. Any suggestions?
Maybe a heat gun to soften the sealant?
Jeff Brown
949-350-5123
Out of the Blue
Hull 77

References

1. https://mail.onelink.me/107872968?pid=NativePlacement&c=Global_Acquisition_YMktg_315_EmailSignatureGrowth_YahooMail:Search,Organize,Conquer&af_sub1=Acquisition&af_sub2=Global_YMktg&af_sub3=&af_sub4=100000945&af_sub5=OrganizeConquer__Static_

[Christian via C320-list]

All of mine leaked at that spot. Pull out the g gasket with needle nose
pliers and a pick. Tape off the outside of the aluminum frame along the
seem. Use the Black Dow Corning (I think it's 795, but not positive) that
Catalina Direct sells for bonding replacement lens to hatches (that stuff
is amazing). You will squirt the compound in heavy from outside ( hence
need to tape), and use back side of a spoon to smooth and press into the
seam. Since I did mine, 6 years later, still no leaks. It is an easy job,
all your portlights would take half a day.

On Mon, Apr 29, 2024, 6:08 PM Jeffrey Brown via C320-list <

[Dave Hupe via C320-list]

Agreed .... Dow 795 is amazing stuff 
https://www.amazon.com/Dow-Corning-Silicone-Building-Sealant/dp/B000NY76MI/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.3InuqasqL-5jQrsi2HMV7Y-rnYuvqy5eBYP8eXwnJahM4ECfUwO-YRQuSWO1rm28EDoik7ok5TafpCD52Rfoh6uEQOmkU0PjxDqkH9rBqiH6XJIg7fh6rKwrEi1xEIKR_UPnknevVvrDn7Fx2zXnCXbrVLAla7B0KVftLtyOEW5qD9BDy07iRsAAOtYqrWLTIMP5wVAvZu_HtemNuvPnEmPgCr6AE8DHfy8jyTldOos.BXPG0frLrdnVaUfITgKqB3_7pxt48sOGkkzp1qFDLIU&dib_tag=se&hvadid=580812011700&hvdev=t&hvlocphy=9017486&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=b&hvrand=15829541757071511309&hvtargid=kwd-555436899008&hydadcr=6146_13195025&keywords=dowsil+795&qid=1714433019&sr=8-1
I used it to install new big side stationary cast acrylic windows (all 4) shortly after buying my boat.

Dave Hupe 
1994 C320 #32

Yahoo Mail: Search, Organize, Conquer

On Mon, Apr 29, 2024 at 7:19 PM, Christian<cca...@gmail.com> wrote: All of mine leaked at that spot. Pull out the g gasket with needle nose pliers and a pick. Tape off the outside of the aluminum frame along the seem. Use the Black Dow Corning (I think it's 795, but not positive) that Catalina Direct sells for bonding replacement lens to hatches (that stuff is amazing). You will squirt the compound in heavy from outside ( hence need to tape), and use back side of a spoon to smooth and press into the seam. Since I did mine, 6 years later, still no leaks. It is an easy job, all your portlights would take half a day.

[Troy Dunn via C320-list]

The opening portlights are bedded in with Butyl tape unless some helpful
previous owner used something like 5200 to rebed them getting them, out is
usually pretty simple. Getting them started can be tricky though. Once
you have the hardware off the back, the simplest approach is to use a heavy
plastic scraper and wooden shims to gradually break the seal all the way
around the window. Getting the first intial lift is usually the hardest
part. Butyl is great because it holds up really well if bedded correctly
and …. it cleans up perfectly with mineral spirits. Try a bit of mineral
spirits on any exposed edge of sealant..if it softens and wipes away
eventually, you have butyl. If not, you may be dealing with something more
insidious.

Good luck with the portlights.

Troy Dunn
Hull #514

[John Stetson via C320-list]

Jeff,

We had the same problem with the port lights; all were beginning to leak.
I first changed all the O-rings on the dogs with a kit from Catalina
Direct. It did not fix the leaks. I contacted Lewmar and they provided
directions for repairing frame leaks in older boats. Attached is a pdf of
the repairs.

In short, you will see two horizontal frame joints on the exterior of each
port. They are filled (or were) with a gray material. With the frames in
place, remove as much of the old gray material as possible and fill the
joints with fresh silicone. This instantly solved all the leaks.

Good luck.

John Stetson
Morning Star Again, Hull #578
802-343-5233 (C)


On Mon, Apr 29, 2024 at 7:08 PM Jeffrey Brown via C320-list <

[Christian via C320-list]

No offense,I would not recommend pure silicon. My opinion is silicon breaks
down quicker with water and sun, is not best for marine applications, and a
nightmare to clean. The Dow 795 will bond longer. Just my 2 cents. But I
did every step John did, o ring on dog ears, seal gasket, only thing that
stopped all my leaks was the g gasket that I and John described. Good luck.

[Chris White via C320-list]

The way to remove the port light is to push a flat bladed jointing or putty knife in and gently slide it along. Carefully lever the light away from the cabin top.It will come off with a bit of perserverence.Once off, clean off all the sealant, and remove the two rubber inserts. These cannot be replaced, but fill the gap by putting sellotape on the back and carefully pump sealant in, smoothing it off on the front.Let this dry and you are ready to install.I used clear marine sealant.It does stop the leaks.
Chris WhiteDandy #449PooleUK 

[Joshua Heazlewood via C320-list]

I have also gone down the path of replacing the O-rings on the dogs with
the kit from Catalina Direct. But I still get water forming and dripping
inside.The frame joints seem to have been sealed by a previous owner. May
need resealing, could be worth a try.

Has anyone had any luck reducing leaks using PortVisors from SeaWorth
Goods? I wonder whether they would reduce the buildup of rain, especially
on the seal. The upside with these is that you can open the portlight when
it rains.

Josh Heazlewood
Bilbo Baggins #564
Yeppoon Australia