portlights

[garyw]

Hi

I am a new Catalina 34 owner and am replacing the plexiglass over the head which also has a portlight in it.   What is the recommended caulk to use in attaching the portlight which is a gray portlight , plastic.   would silicone be the best bet for this job and if so which brand would be recommended  .  I will be screwing the portlight into it's backing plate also  .

Thank you

Gary W.

[patrice]

Hi,
And welcome to the forum.
You will find a TONNNN of info here.
But, personnally, silicone and boat should not be together 
There is material like 3M product and from Sikaflex that are more suitable for the task.
And yes butyl tooo.

If you make a search in the top right box.

[Stu Jackson]

Gary, Welcome.

It would be helpful if you completed your signature and/or avatar and told us the year and hull # of your new boat, so we can help you better.

Gray ports are like Becksons.  In my experience, and as posted here and on the wiki about Beckson ports, they are the ONLY place on our boat that silicone is recommended, BECAUSE it is recommended by the manufacturer.

I am unclear from your question about whether you are talking about the Gray opening portlight that is in the head fixed port, right in front of your eye level if you are standing in front of the head bowl, since you said "over the head."  I ask because even some older boats have  If that's the case, then I would suggest silicone.  Better yet, see the Gray portlight instruction manuals, which, IIRC, are from www.pompanette.com (and do a search there on gray) from Florida.  They are quite similar to the Becksons (www.Beckson.com) who recommend ONLY silicone.

[patrice]

HI,

Well sorry about my answer.
I would not have thought that it would be recommended by the manufacturer.

Last summer I had the opening port on top of the ''kitchen table'' leaking.
Got some sikaflex caulking, forgot the number, but NOT the like 3M 5200, to fix it.
After removing the screw, the frame was not really sticking to the caulk, came of to easily.  I guess that it was silicone  ;-)

[garyw]

Thank you both

It is a port light which will fit into the fixed plexiglass over the head .  I removed them both and replaced the plexiglass and the port.   I called the company pompanette in new hampshire and because it is plastic , they recommended the silicone marine grade and mentioned  3m 4200 .   I assume I will also use the same material to bed the fixed plexiglass against the boat.   

Gary

[Stu Jackson]

Gary, this came up on another forum last week:  http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=160395

IIRC, there was a C34 skipper who did his and posted pictures of how he did his fixed port installation, lotsa pictures.  I have to run out now, and so can't look for it, maybe someone else will remember.

I'd also stay away from 4200, it's an adhesive.  You're looking for silicone and I think the manufacturer may have been wrong.

[Stu Jackson]

Gary, here it is: 

http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,7688.0.html

[Ted Pounds]

How about butyl tape?  Just a thought...

[Stu Jackson]

How about butyl tape? 

Would be a good idea if the skipper used screws.  Not so much if done by Fred's method in my last link.

Here's more from Catalina Yachts: 

http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=160395

[garyw]

Thanks for all your helpful advice

Gary