Port Hole Options?

[Mark Gudschinsky]

I'm considering my port hole options. I like the idea of hand building, but summer has arrived and if I'm going sailing I needed to get from half built to sailable in a few weeks. So something commercial is called for.

I like the clear deck plate option from West Marine --J. Metzner showed me this option when he showed me his weekender.

So far it sounds like the fastest most economical idea, any others?

[Barry Pyeatt]

I would agree! There have been several Weekenders with them and at least one Vactioneer and they look great. They let light in and keep water out. Cut a hole, smear on some sealant and they are done. What more could you want?

[Denis Goyette]

Is there a picture out there of this type of porthole?

[Barry Pyeatt]

Denis,

This is a link to the catalog page for West Marine

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=10001&productId=676

[Barry Pyeatt]

Here is a picture of Tim Power's Vacationeer (Katie Ann) with these deck plates being used as Portlites. They look prettty salty! They have finger recesses in the clear part to unscrew them when used as a deck plate, but you could also rig up a piece of screen fabrick on a plywood frame inside the cabin and have them opened for ventilation when camping out.

I also like the "rat line" treatment with his shrouds. Very Pirate-like mate!

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[ken connors]

i ilke the idea of deckplates for portlights, BUT there is some curvature in the cabin sides. wont that affect the threads and the ability to unscrew them?

[Barry Pyeatt]

Yes it would! It would seriously inhibit the clear portion from being removed. So if they were mounted on a Weekender with a curved front per the plans, you could probably open those on the sides only. If you build it like Derek and Capt. Jake, then you could probably open all of them.

[Derek]

If you build it like mine and open all of them you'll end up with negative momentum! All the wind coming in would push you backwards!