Portlight gasket issues?

  • June 06, 2014 11:32 AM
    Message # 1560749
    Deleted user
    We ordered some 1/4" gaskets to replace the original portlight gaskets that were on our Westsail 32 as they were leaking.  We measured the original gaskets and they appeared to be about 1/4" width as well as the groove in the portholes appear to be 1/4" in width.  We replaced and installed a new gasket in the galley porthole but it does not appear to be functioning properly as we had water coming in through the porthole.  The new gaskets seem to be snug in the groove but does not come up very high compared to the original gasket.  Also, the original gasket appears to be slightly larger than 1/4" but not 5/16".  Would anyone suggest us going the to next size up in gasket (5/16") to see if that would work instead?  
    Also, the original gaskets were solid rubber while the new ones have a core/void in the middle - would this affect the function of the gasket?
    Thanks,

  • June 06, 2014 12:23 PM
    Reply # 1560759 on 1560749
    Deleted user
    A couple of things you can try.  First off make sure that the joint is a the top of the installed portlight.  Second, when you cut the gasket material, make sure it is cut cleanly, squarely, (razor blade) and use super glue to join it together to form a continuous gasket. Inspect the sealing edges of the unit to be sure that you don't have a buildup of dirt or other contaminates. A thin coating of Vaseline will also help.  I can't speak to the size you are using.  We replaced our solid ones with the hollow cored material and haven't had any problems using the method described above.  

    Mike
  • June 06, 2014 12:48 PM
    Reply # 1560767 on 1560749

    Rob,

    I ordered some replacement gasket material from Bud a few years ago and it was solid rubber 1/4" x 1/4',and not hollow.  I have used it several of my ports and have found it to work perfectly. I found I had to pull/stretch the gasket slightly to get it to fit into the groove in the frame.  Perhaps your hollow material is deforming when the port is closed on it?  We used some rubber based glue to help hold the gasket in the port frames when we first installed it.  I have since found that I don't need the glue as the gasket material stays in well on its own.

    Kevin

  • June 07, 2014 4:04 PM
    Reply # 1560905 on 1560749
    Deleted user
    Thanks for the suggestions. We actually got the new rubber gaskets from Bud. The seam is at the top, and we used a high quality glue designed for porthole gaskets. The problem I see is that the old rubber actually came up about a 1/16 of an inch past the edge and were solid. The new ones are hollow and barely come past the edge, but are snug width wise.
    Rob
  • June 08, 2014 4:43 AM
    Reply # 1560923 on 1560905

    If you have the original round bronze portlights the gasket doesn't need to extend above.  The rim of the glass part of the portlight that contacts the rubber is narrower than the width of the gasket and thereby compresses into the gasket itself, not just sit on top. Thus why the more loose fitting, hollow gasket material is actually preferable since it compresses easier. 

    Look closely at the surface of the rim that contacts the rubber. Make sure it's clean and smooth. When changing the gasket in the past I've noticed tiny bits of old gasket stuck to the surface which could prevent a good seal.

    Also, there are two adjustment screws on either side of the hinge to ensure the portlight is perfectly parallel to the gasket when dogged closed. If it is not set correctly you would not get a good seal.  They should be 'set and forget' but if someone tinkered with them in the past you might have to re-adjust them. Try holding the portlight closed lightly with your hand while running a piece of stiff paper or something around the circumference. Note if it's a consistent 'feel' all the way around, not loose at the bottom and tight at the top (or vice versa).
    Last modified: June 08, 2014 5:10 AM | Anonymous member
  • June 08, 2014 8:16 PM
    Reply # 1560972 on 1560749
    Deleted user
    Thanks Mike. After further examination of the porthole rim, we noticed a slight bend/dent in the porthole. Since we haven't used this porthole since we got the boat, were assuming that a previous owner might have closed it incorrectly and caused the damaged?? We have to hand fit the porthole while dogging to get a solid fit.
    Thanks for the help.
    Rob
  • June 09, 2014 7:25 AM
    Reply # 1561010 on 1560749

    I have been restoring our Westsail 42, Harmony, for the past 3 years, and one of the biggest problems was and will continue to be, I suspect, water leakage.  When we purchased Harmony, all of the portlights had their original solid rubber/foam gaskets.  Since the boat was made in 1976, it was hard to determine what the original gaskets were like.

    However, after measuring the dimensions of the 3 different type of ports we had, I orders gasket material from Bud.  The new gaskets were hollow and did not fit into the ports as snuggly as one may have expected, but installation was relatively easy once the old material was removed.  I did put the seam at the top of the port as one would expect.

    After having re-gasketed all of the ports and studied their performance in the rain, the new gasket material is absolutely perfect.  The hollow core compresses to allow the seating of the port rim. 

    I am now one happy camper, as I can open and close EVERY port without concern that I won't have a tight seal upon closure.  Bud's gasket material is the way to go.

     

  • June 09, 2014 1:52 PM
    Reply # 1561114 on 1560749
    Deleted user
    Same.  Hollow core gasket solved my leaks.

    On another note palmetto packings has a million gasket types if you need something special but it will be expensive surely a lot more than the coast of Bud's excellent material.

    http://www.palmettopackings.com
  • June 13, 2014 9:20 AM
    Reply # 1561701 on 1560749
    Deleted user
    Thanks, maybe it's the new thing and getting used to something different. My main concern was that I had mis-measured and ordered the wrong size from Bud, or installed it incorrectly.
    Rob
Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software