In the past I have used marine 100% silicone and the portholes and port
lights never failed while I owned the boats. I just finished reinstalling a
1 X 3 port in my big boat and the mfg was quite adamant that I use Dow 975
silicone sealant. It has strong adhesion (60 psi?) to fiberglass and lexan
/plexiglass. Down side it takes 14-21 days to cure. I should have read the
data sheet, so we are here in Sunny (sort of) Fl for a couple more weeks
until we can head south east a couple hundred miles. If you don’t mind the
wait it might be the best product to use.
Chris Geankoplis
Enosis

On Thu, 14 Jan 2021 at 18:29, Larry Gioia via Rhodes22-list <
rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org> wrote:

>  Scott, Roger, Michael,                      Thank you!  I had searched
> for portlight, but searching for just port or Beckson brought all these
> back - looks like all-silicone is the answer and I see the steps now.   And
> yes, on my '86 water sits in the forward-facing ones also - There is a
> canvas cover that snaps over both of them - seems to help somewhat.
>           Larry
>     On Thursday, January 14, 2021, 03:06:20 PM EST, Michael D. Weisner <
> mweisner at ebsmed.com> wrote:
>
>  Larry,
>
> A quick check of the list archives brought up this August 2020 post by
> Graham Stewart:
>
>     Regarding the use of silicone for ports.
>
>     Beckson, one of the largest manufacturer specifies that silicone
> SHOULD be used :
>
>     Their installation instructions are found here:
> https://www.beckson.com/installport.html
>
>     "Choice of Sealant:
>     There are many brands of caulk, adhesive and sealant available in your
> marine chandlery
>     or hardware store, but be wary, not all are like. Many are for
> specific applications and may
>     contain solvents that are destructive to thermoplastics. Chemical
> solvents should not be
>     used for clean up.
>
>     Beckson recommends 100% silicone sealant only. Availability of
> silicone varies regionally.
>     Please contact your sealant manufacturer for the most up to date
> information with regard
>     to materials and compatibility. Silicone has been around for nearly 50
> years without sign
>     of failure. Most other caulks and sealants fail after 10 years.
>     When a port is installed properly, silicone works best for years of
> enjoyment.
>
>     Sanding previously caulked areas:
>     Previously caulked or sealed areas must be sanded in order to remove
> the old caulk.
>     If not removed, a strong bond will not occur. Surfaces may appear to
> be free of caulk to
>     the eye, but residue may still be present on the gel coat. Sand
> lightly with 220 grit paper
>     to prepare for the silicone sealant."
>
>     Check with the port manufacturer before deciding. Butyl is probably a
> safe choice but
>     while it is an excellent sealant it is very weak as an adhesive. On a
> slightly curves surface
>     that adhesive quality might be important.
>
> Mike
> s/v Wind Lass ('91)
> Nissequogue River, NY
> I’d rather be sailing :~)
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Rhodes22-list <rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org> On Behalf Of
> ROGER PIHLAJA
> Sent: Thursday, January 14, 2021 2:08 PM
> To: Scott Andrews <sea20 at verizon.net>; The Rhodes 22 Email List <
> rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
> Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Portlight re-sealing
>
> Larry,
>
> Check the archives for a step by step article on replacing a Beckson
> opening port.
>
> Roger Pihlaja
> S/V Dynamic Equilibrium
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> > On Jan 14, 2021, at 9:38 AM, Scott Andrews via Rhodes22-list <
> rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org> wrote:
> >
> > ?Good morning, I have an 86’ as well with the front two ports venting.
> As they are recessed water often lays there. The port window drips pretty
> bad and I had some mold issues. I hate to loose the vent but is fixed glass
> the best remedy?
> > Scott
> >
> > Sent from my iPhone
> >
> >> On Jan 14, 2021, at 8:00 AM, Larry Gioia via Rhodes22-list <
> rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org> wrote:
> >>
> >> ?Thank you Graham!
> >>
> >> Larry
> >>
> >>>> On Jan 14, 2021, at 12:48 AM, Graham Stewart <gstewart8 at cogeco.ca>
> wrote:
> >>>
> >>> ?Larry: For Beckson ports - which I think are used on Rhodes, the
> manufacturer states that only silicone should be used. Check the beckson
> website. See https://www.beckson.com/installport.html
> >>>
> >>> Graham Stewart
> >>> Agile, Rodes 22, 1976
> >>> Kingston Ontario
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> -----Original Message-----
> >>> From: Rhodes22-list [mailto:rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org] On
> Behalf Of Larry Gioia via Rhodes22-list
> >>> Sent: Wednesday, January 13, 2021 10:53 PM
> >>> To: The Rhodes 22 Email List
> >>> Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Portlight re-sealing
> >>>
> >>> Hi,  I think a few of the portlights on my '86 R22 are leaking.  Image
> that after only 34 years in the Florida sun.  I searched the listserv and
> saw emails from 2008 suggesting to use BoatLife Sealant and to clean with
> acetone beforehand to remove wax.  I was hoping Peter would have a video
> about it, as his videos are always great, but didn't see one - his
> remanufactured Rhodes probably hasn't needed it yet.    Any suggestions
> other than that?  I'm guessing they're a bit tricky to remove.  I see
> screwheads on the exterior but nothing on the interior, unless the interior
> ring pops off.  The BoatLife website
> https://www.boatlife.com/product-category/boat-caulk-and-sealants/
> shows a bunch of different products - lifeseal sealants, life-calk
> sealants, life-calk 2-part sealant, liquid life-calk sealant, liquid
> lifeseal sealant, marine silicone rubber sealant  (I assume LifeSeal
> Sealant), available in tubes and cartridges (probably either).    Thanks!
> Larry--'86 R22 [still unnamed]  Keystone Lake, FL'14 R22 Language Of Love,
> Lake George, NY
> >>>
> >>
> >
>
>
>