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Replacing portlights

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Randall
Navigator

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123 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/29/2003 : 21:33:27

What is the most attractive, yet cost effective way to replace the portlights on a 79 Cat? The forward openers absolutely must be replaced, but not necessarily the main cabin deadlights, which are homely but sound.

For my Starwind 22, I had Regal Glass in San Antonio cut 1/4" smoked Lexan replacements. They were made 1/4" larger all the way around for extra strength, and screwed on with SS screws & finishing washers every 4 inches. I used Home Depot wood corner trim to dress up the interior. I used a jigsaw to square the rounded corners of the rough openings in the hull so that I could make decent looking corner joints with a miter box. This would probably be the cheapest way to go on Kite, but is it advisable?

How hard is it to remove the original deadlights and reseal them? Will auto window tint stick to them? My wife insists that they be darkened for privacy.

I saw in previous posts that CatDirect has new openers, and I read in the archives about Defender selling Bomar openers cheaply, and (surprise!) FullerBrush.com selling openers. Those didn't appear to be smoked, however.

How much air is actually contributed by forward openers, especially since they are so close to the hatch?

Finally, last year someone posted a link to a site selling a kit to replace all the old ports with more modern-looking smoked Lexan, but I couldn't find it tonight in the archives. Are they still selling them?

Randall

Randall
"Kite" '79 TR/SK dinette #1459
Central Texas

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RoofRoof
Navigator

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USA
186 Posts

Response Posted - 10/30/2003 : 10:47:14

I also have a 79'. We resealed our windows a year ago, but we still get a tremendous amount of water leaking in the boat. We just received the new aftermarket window kit from Cruising Direct.

I think it was $600-$1,000 for the kit. We hope to install it this weekend if we aren't too hung over.

I'll keep everyone posted on how the kit works.

Oh, it is "Cruising Concepts." I can't figure out how to add a link.

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 10/30/2003 : 11:13:41

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by RoofRoof
 We hope to install it this weekend if we aren't too hung over.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Is that the sailor, musician or pilot that will be hung over? Two out of three seem appropriate, that third one worries me.

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Sunshine Daydream
1st Mate

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57 Posts

Response Posted - 10/30/2003 : 13:00:57

I have thought about having the frames powder coated or painted a nice color and buying the raplacement seals from CD. I think the Aluminum color is what dates them. Seems to me like quality auto glass tint would be fine.

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 10/30/2003 : 15:51:56

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Sunshine Daydream
 I have thought about having the frames powder coated or painted a nice color and buying the raplacement seals from CD. I think the Aluminum color is what dates them. Seems to me like quality auto glass tint would be fine.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

<hr noshade size="1">
My only experience with Powder coat is when the Tuttles take the frame of one of their bikes to the powder coat place and have jason work his magic. (Orange County chopper reference, for those who haven't seen it on the discovery channel)

How much would something like that cost?

dw

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Sunshine Daydream
1st Mate

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57 Posts

Response Posted - 10/30/2003 : 16:39:26

I have had a 13 foot long rack for the top of a ford 15 passenger van with a ladder done for $150 and a rack for the top of a 14 ft. wells cargo trailer $75 and a ladder for the side of the trailer $35. I would think that a few window frames would be pretty cheap. I will take one of my frames out and see what they guys think at the powder coating place sometime in the next 5 months, he, he. will let you know what they say if you have not resolved your situation by then.

Our boat had been sitting in the Columbia for 6 years unattended prior to our purchase this summer. I have a little teak to refinish and reman. before I start the windows.

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 10/30/2003 : 19:00:48

We've written some pretty comprehensive posts on this topic. Have you searched the archives?

Briefly, I replaced my head portlites with Lewmars (excellent product) with minimal cutting of the original window opening. As the window frames of the main salon looked so worn compared to the new Lewmars, I had them re-anodized. I also had new tinted glass made (and tempered) for the main salon at an auto glass store.

You can see portions of the results below. It's a nice upgrade when in the leaking windows mode.

Keep in mind, tinted glass does nothing for privacy at night with the cabin lights on.

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.