I have at least 2 ports that are leaking at the moment and I have a couple of questions.
First - is repairing the leak simply a matter of removing the port, cleaning, placing a new gasket and some silicone -or is there some other magic I should consider?
Second - when it leaks, the water stains left behind are discolored (brown). Is this rust? Something else? Is it a sign I should replace the entire port or less ominous than that?
Thanks in advance.
Tim
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Tim Farrell
S.V. Kailua
C36 - 1986
Hull# CTY0678A886
I had leaking ports as well. The PO had used caulking from the outside to try and seal the leak. But this means that you can no longer open the port.
Here is what I did. I opened the port and removed all that caulking. I put a generous amount of petroleum jelly on the rubber seal. after a month I opened the port and cleaned the class and closed the port. No more leaking. The petroleum jelly softens the rubber so it makes a good seal. I hope that helps.
Haro Bayandorian, 1999 C36 MKII, Sail La Vie #1787, M35B,
Coyote Point, San Mateo, CA.
Haro,
Thanks for the tip - I wouldn't have thought to do that. It didn't occur to me that the seal around the glass could be leaking. I will try that before removing the port entirely. Will let you know.
tim
Tim Farrell
S.V. Kailua
C36 - 1986
Hull# CTY0678A886
I don't know what ports are on a boat or your vintage, but on my '97, the O-rings around the port dogs leaked. I got a set of O-rings and a tube of grease from Catalina Direct that took care of the problem.
Gary and Cathy Price
1997 C36 Mk II Tall Rig/Wing Keel Imagine...
Hull # 1617
Worton Creek, Md.
Northern Chesapeake Bay
Thanks Gary. I'll have a look at the O-Rings as well.
Anyone have an idea of why the leaks are discolored?
Tim Farrell
S.V. Kailua
C36 - 1986
Hull# CTY0678A886
I suppose it's possible that the color is coming from water getting to the coring material. If it's wood, it could be from that getting wet. Just a thought.
Wally
"Onanne"
2000 MKII, deep keel, tall rig
Lake Champlain