Happy New Year Everybody!
I learned this week that my Series 3000 opening ports (6-3/4in X 16-3/4 cutout in the head and over the TV cabinet) are the unrepairable model. Catalina Direct does not have a newer replacement. I better ask if anybody has experience with these ports before I try to take one apart? Is there a newer replacement out there somewhere?
Thanks for all of the useful tips on the CD and in the forums! Wiring harness upgrade, water heater, fuel tank screen removal, are a few of the projects completed with the great instructions. I am currently adding an asym. spinnaker and related hardware with the help of the forum. New seals on the ports and hatches are now needed because of the spray coming over the bow. Yeah!!!
Thanks! Mark
Mark Andrews
S/V Grace
86 C36 #995730
San Diego
Happy New Year first of all and congradulations on being the first person to post on our web site! There have been several threads on the issue you are having on those darn pesky opening ports. All you have to do is to do a search using key words.
A frined of mine in the marina wehre we keep our boat here in Nroth Carolina has just replaced several of his. He bit the bullet and purchased the S/S New Found Metals and I must say they look great. That's one option, albeit, a rather costly one.
Glenn Druhot
Carpe Diem
New Bern, NC
35* 6' 10" N / 77* 2' 30" W
2001 C36, Hull #1965
Std Rig; Wing Keel; M35B
I am so far only finding the threads for Lewmar frameless ports. I have an aluminum frame around my lens that were used only when Catalina ran short during a building run. Catalina Direct says they are unrepairable and there is no replacement port available. I believe I can get the old lens out and cut a new one. I don't want to try this without a backup replacement available. I would appreciate guidance if you have seen these ports in the archives. Thanks for the New Found Metals lead.
Thanks!
PS- Your New Found Metals tip is good. They have an exact fit replacement port. I will proceed with an attempt to rebuild my
Mark Andrews
S/V Grace
86 C36 #995730
San Diego
Mark, please document what you're doing, won't you, with numerous photos and a step by step description so that we can use it in a future JibSheet? From then on, anyone withthe same ports will be able to find an authoritative answer in our technical library. Let me or Steve Frost know when the job is done and we can coach you on how to submit your write-up. Thanks.
Larry Brandt
S/V High Flight #2109
Pacific Northwest, PDX-based
2002 C-36 mkII SR/FK M35B
If just need to replace the lens, might want to try Select Plastics. They have the patterns and supply all the necessary o-rings etc. They advertise in the Mainsheet or you can find them at [url]www.selectplastics.com[/url]. They can't help with issues with the frame. If you just have issues with the window seal, it can probably be replaced, if you can't find suitable material at you local hardware store try some commercial sources for rubber seals in the yellow pages.
Ken and Vicki Juul
SV Luna Loca
C34 #1090
Chesapeake Bay
CAUTION - on the Newfound Metal replacement opeing ports.
1. The cabin trunk slopes inward at too great an angle for them to self drain. After a rain or sea spray, we have a lot of standing water in the ports.
2. The cabin trunk sides are curved in two dimensions, so the flat plane of the ports gets warped on installation. That makes it very hard to get the flat hinged port to seal.
As much as we like the look and quality of the ports, I have to chalk that up as a big mistake.
Duane Ising - Past Commodore (2011-2012)
s/v Diva Di
1999 Catalina 36 Hull #1777
Std rig; wing keel, M35B, Delta (45#)
Punta Gorda, FL
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/diva-di/
Thanks for all of the help. I see what you mean on the cabin angle for the New Found Metal port drain. I will try the selectplastics site. I contacted Lewmar and they do have a replacement port that is similar to the aluminum 3000 Series ($289.00). This one will drain. I will let Catalina Direct know. I don't why they would build a port that is not supposed to be refurbished.
If I don't destroy the port I will send the pics of the process.
Thanks-
Mark Andrews
S/V Grace
86 C36 #995730
San Diego
Thanks, Mark. Send the pics either to Steve Frost or to myself.
Larry Brandt
S/V High Flight #2109
Pacific Northwest, PDX-based
2002 C-36 mkII SR/FK M35B