Portlights

[rangerscott275]

In a previous thread on windows, I inquired about the maker of portlights to fix / replace some leakers. Fuller Brush was mentioned as the original maker of the portlights. I spoke with Fuller and described my portlight and they said it didn't sound like their make (all of mine have 3 tightening knob/screws instead of two and the inside is steel of some sort...also, can't locate a fuller brush emblem)....they said that their make has always only had two screw tightening knobs at bottom and no metal. Did I just get a bad service person or do I indeed have different portlights? I am inclined to think they are original as they have some very very old stained glass overlays on all bath windows that I would think were put on early in the boat's history. It is a 1969 53 MY (I thought when I bought it it was a 1970, but my copy of coast guard docs said it was a 1969). Anyone have any idea if they are indeed fuller's or know of other makers that I might try?

 

[Fanfare]

Are your ports oval or rectangular?

Jim Grove, Fanfare 1966 50 MY

 

[rangerscott275]

sorry...prob should have put that in my original email...they are oval and measure roughly 17" x 9"

 

[MikeP]

Fuller makes two portlights but as the fuller person stated, neither has three screws or any metal. I thought all 53s used the 17" (roughly 17x9) Fuller's but perhaps the earliest versions did not. Sams Marine, who sponsor this site would probably know if something other than the Fuller's were used. I know they have the Fuller portlights but give them a call about yours.

 

[scott]

I have a 68 44'Tri-Cabin. The portlights are aluminum and measure (I think) 7 x 15 and 7 x 18. Sam's tells me they are not available and the only course of action I can think of is to get stainless 7 x 15 and 8 x 18 and route out the opening a bit. If anyone has a better version I wojuld sure like to hear it.

 

[67hat34c]

I replaced my portlights with Beckson ports. I purchased direcly from them and saved a ton of money, about half. they are plastic. got mine made with smoked lights 3 fixed and 3 opening. installed 2 yrs ago and been very pleased with them.

 

[Pascal]

if it's any help, this pictures show the portholes i have on my 1970 53MY.

it's open in the picture, can't see the glass unfortunately... but maybe the frame will be an indication... these things are heavy!

 

[rangerscott275]

Pascal,

those are the exact same portlights I have....do you know the make?

 

[67hat34c]

When we installed our new ports we did have to redo openings. drilled all screw holes larger and filled with JB Weld, took the dremel with drum sander and made openings even and enlarged where needed. I recommend you look at Beckson's web site and review how they recommend to install the ports. less likely to ever leak.

 

[Maynard Rupp]

Hey Pascal... Don't know about the portlights, but the cats are awsome. I remember petting them. Thanks for the good time.

 

[Dustoff44]

Pascal your picture with cats has made my wife a fan of this forum. As our boat name is Sea CATsle ( intentionally mis-spelled) ...you might guess that we have five cats.
Early 50MY and 53MY had metal portlights. I remember looking at several during the search for our Hatteras

 

[Beckytek]

I was wondering about your name for awhile now, glad you cleared that up. My wife wants to see a picture of the five cats if you have one. Ron

 

[scott]

Those are exactly like mine--aluminum and corroded. Have two diffent sizes on the 44 Tri-Cabiin and sure wish I could find replacements for all 15 of them.

 

[Fanfare]

Bronze oval portlights came on my 50MY and they are great! Everything comes apart and can be rebuilt. (Probably went out of business because nobody ever needed to replace them.) Every one has a window screen. Does anyone know who made these?

Jim Grove, Fanfare 1966 50MY

 

[jim rosenthal]

Pascal, your crew appears to be asleep. Is that shelf the preferred hangout?

 

[Pascal]

they look and feel like bronze to me... VERY heavy, way too heavy to be alum. and the scratched show greenish below the paint.

Jim, they each have their prefered spots, but the shelf around the master is one of them for both. Critter's favorite spot (the blonde one) is on top of the helm chair.. it's pretty high and he loves to sleep there...it's also narrow and I don't know how he nver fell off

 

[J's Dream]

Pascal,

They are either bronze or brass. I have 3 I just removed and they each weigh about 40 pounds. I havent decided if I'm going to glass them in or replace them. If anyone has some advice on that...I'm all ears!

 

[rangerscott275]

Do you think we can rebuild them since they are obviously a bit rarer and made of a high quality metal? or would you prefer plastic & lexan if you were going to replace?

 

[SeaEric]

Scott, I would do anything (almost) to try a rebuild in favor of replacement. What do they need? Gaskets can probably be replaced in place. Cracked glass is perhaps another story.

As far as the year of your boat- In the old wooden boat days the Coast Guard referenced the documented year of the boat as being when the "keel was laid". Same in early Glass boats. Many hulls with lay-up started in 1969 were documented as such by the Coast Guard, even though the boat was finished and delivered in 1970, as a 1970 model. Now'adays, boat builders glass in a 12 character hull (HIN) number on the transom that ends in the 2 numbers of the year of the boat. Builders are now allowed to use the model year of the boat in the HIN even if built the year earlier. The Coast Guard, for the most part, will now go with that as the year built. It is possible to see a "new model" boat at a boatshow in the late summer or fall of 2005 and the boat is displaying a year 2006 HIN.

 

[J's Dream]

Do you think we can rebuild them since they are obviously a bit rarer and made of a high quality metal? or would you prefer plastic & lexan if you were going to replace?

Scott,

From what I understand, parts are available through Fuller Brush to rebuild the ones you have. I haven't decided if I want to keep them on the boat at all. If I do keep them, I'll need to get one frame replaced, as the storms this year decided that a rectangle isn't the correct shape for a port light.