I ordered the Aft Cabin Lewmar Port Gasket Kit from Catalina Direct. I'm talking about the ports that open from the aft cabin into the cockpit.
https://www.catalinadirect.com/shop-by-boat/catalina-38/hatches-ports/ga...
I spent the better part of 3 hours messing around with trying to get the gaskets in place, but no joy. I tried using tape. I tried using clamps. I tried using silicon.. I haven't found a way to hold the gaskets in place while the silicon dries. I haven't found a way to hold the gaskets in place long enough for me to close the port and not move the gasket out of position.
There has to be some technique that someone has come up with to get the gaskets in place. What is it? I found it impossible to get the gaskets in place and stay secure while the silicon dries. The arrow head part of the gasket doesn't fit in the gasket channel with any little bit of friction at all to hold it in place. When I applied clear silicon it even become less likely to hold in place and just made a slippery mess. Someone PLEASE tell me how you accomplished replacing these two gaskets. Both ports leak water when it rains and I REALLY need to get them installed!
I got frustrated and just walked away.. I'm about ready to throw it all in the trash and buy some type of thick insulation foam tape at Home Depot..
Joe - -
Mobile, AL.
S.V. Makara
1995 Catalina 36 MkII - Hull #1401
I just replaced a Lewmar port gasket a few months ago on my C350 and shared your frustration. First be sure ALL the old silicon is out of the channel. This took the bulk of the time needed to replace the gasket. I used a small flat bladed screw driver to push the arrow head part of the gasket into the channel starting at the 12 o'clock position. With mine I did add a very small bead of silicon because that's what the instructions said to do but the friction fit was more than enough to hold the gasket in place after insertion.
I'm sure you know this but Catalina was/is notorious for using different parts in the same boat model. Are you absolutely sure you have the right gasket for your port? A number of people with C350's had a problem with gasket replacement until someone found out we had an odd model port.
I haven't tried this (we have different gaskets on out boat) -- but wondered if you've tried calling CD, since they sold them to you. I've found them sometimes quite helpful on technical stuff regarding their products....
Matthew Chachère
s/v ¡Que Chévere!
(Formerly 1985 C36 MKI #466 tall rig fin keel M25)
2006 Catalina Morgan 440 #30.
Homeported in eastern Long Island, NY