Leaking Lewmar Ports on B321   2005-02-07 18:48:00 < Jon McClain>
Need Assistance!
I have two operating lewmar Ocean side ports that are leaking. Doesn't
seem to be gaskets, so I think it is time to rebed . Does anyone have
any hints or words of wisdom before I tackle this project? Nedd to do
this myself as boat account is seriously in the RED this year. Thanks
in advance
Jon McClain
s/v Parrot Tales, 1996 B321
 
 
 
Re: Leaking Lewmar Ports on B321   2005-02-07 19:16:00 <Michael Puig>
John,

Be VERY careful not to break the black plastic facia around them. They are
no longer available. What I did on my old boat was to remove the grey
plastic facia. Its velcroed. And remove the screws that hold the port. Look
for corrosion on them. Clean them and coat them with lanocoat. Put the
screws (machine thread) back in place and tighten down firm...
You will also see holes in the inner ring. Fill those with silicone. That
sould last you for a couple of more years.
Also on the outside, mask off the port and place a little silicone in between
the vertical gray spacer on the port.


Puig
36s7
Reply
 
RE: Leaking Lewmar Ports on B321   2005-02-07 19:22:00 <js>
Yes that was the exact method that worked for us too.

Jeffrey J. Schwartz
Commodore
Club Beneteau of Florida
 
 
RE: Leaking Lewmar Ports on B321   2005-02-07 22:14:00 <Labones>
Jon, go to the Beneteau Owners site

http://www.beneteau-owners.com/

Click on Library

Scroll down to Hull & Deck

Look for Lewmar port light leaks

That is the recommended repair from Lewmar and Beneteau, also check all the
screws mine were real loose. So far two years no leaks



Terry and Amanda

Marie Claire OC 381

labones@comcast.net
 
 
 
RE: Leaking Lewmar Ports on B321   2005-02-07 22:55:00 <Ivars>
Beneteau uses a plastic trim ring that is held in place by Velcro. The
Lewmar ports are two piece ( outside and inside ) which are held in place by
screws from the inside. You could tighten the screws a bit, but ultimately
that may not be the fix. It would be better to remove the frames and reseal
them. Clean up the area and reapply the sealant.

The trick in good seals
is not to fully tighten the frames. Tighten them just enough to make
contact with the sealant. Allow the sealant to fully cure. Then finish
tightening. The reason for allowing the sealant to cure before full
tightening is to leave /make an elastic / compressable seal, which then
makes the seal not dependant on adhesion only but also the pressure on the
compressed sealant. Typically a newbee will tighten the item until all the
sealant is squeezed out leaving no room to further compress the sealant and
create a compressable gasket. It is better to use a sealant vs a bedding
product. The reason here is that a bedding compound hardens and uses
adhesive strength to make the seal. On things like ports a resilient
sealant which will accept compression works better. This allows for a bit
more tightening with age and makes removal / cleaning easy for the next
time.
 
 
Re: Leaking Lewmar Ports on B321   2005-02-07 23:49:00 <Mohammad Bayegan>
I have an Oceanis 461 2000 #168 she has the same port lights that you describing. Lewmar calls it (Old Ocean Series). I have had the same problem. After extensive discussion with Beneteau and Lewmar finally after combining the two of them.... here is the fix, it works.

From outside, the port light frame has two seams that separates the upper and lower frame, there is gasket imbedded in the seams that dries up in time. Dig the gasket out with a pick ( I used a a pick that dentist use ).
Clean the seam with alcohol be sure not to get it on the plexy glass, fill the seam with (3M 4200 Black), you can tape both side of the seam before applying the 4200 it makes a clean fill.
From inside there is a gray plastic latch that are held to the frame with two allen screw, open the allen screws take the plastic piece out you will discover a hole between the the two screw hole. Fill the whole with sealant, dip the end of the allen screws in the sealant, too. Put the plastic piece back, and tighten the allen screws. I bet it will work.

Marratu Galveston Texas
 
 
Re: Leaking Lewmar Ports on B321   2005-02-08 14:08:00 <zephyr1>
Before you go to the trouble of rebedding the portlights see if you can
simply tighten the screws. The caulking may compress and still be saved by
tightening up the screws. It worked for me, mostly. A friend solved the
problem of drips through the empty screw holes by putting in hex head type
locking screws. I am using some of them, but I wonder if the water slips
inside into the hull or deck, instead of into the cabin. I hope I never find
out.
Richie