PS - noting Dave's comment about staying away from chainplate area - on my '74 M-17, the cabin side layup starts to thicken near the front end of the OEM portlight opening. So I definitely wouldn't install anything aftermarket that involved cutting further forwards in that area. You'd be cutting away some of the strength for the chainplate area. cheers, John On 10/08/2018 11:25 AM, John Schinnerer wrote:
Also if the shape of what you install is not the same as the OEM openings, you will have to rebuild/fill in the original openings. Could be tricky to make that look good, on the gelcoat side (outside) in particular.
Unless your new ports are slightly bigger, then you just have to enlarge the hole to fit.
There are plenty of rectangular (with rounded corners) options. Personally I think they would look odd in the tapered profile of the cabin side, compared to the original angled frames/openings. YMMV of course, you may like the look.
There is at least one article on MSOG Photosite I think about putting new (fixed) ports over the original openings, in absence of the original frames.
Looking at how much even small fixed ports cost...I am very glad my '74 M-17 had the original aluminum frames intact! The original plastic lights were hazy & crazed but it was pretty cheap to have a local glass shop replace the lights (I did the frame R&R myself).
cheers, John
On 10/08/2018 10:57 AM, Dave Scobie wrote:
Leonardo:
The big negative of the portligts you see pictures of on the M17s is their weight. Anything solid metal puts a bunch of weight up high = more healing moment.
Be aware that some ports require a minimum thickness for mounting. The default house thickness is 1/8" of fiberglass.
Don't mount anything near the chainplates. Give this load bearing area some space!
Don't use opening portlights above the 1/4-berth(s) as when you sit the dogs will hit you in the head. Opening forward portlights work fine.
After these considerations it comes down the looks and cost (portlights are NOT cheap!).
:: Dave Scobie :: M17 #375 SWEET PEA - m17-375.com :: M6'8" #650 :: SV SWALLOW - sv-swallow.com
On Mon, Oct 8, 2018, 9:37 AM J. Velázquez via montgomery_boats < montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> wrote:
Hello group: I have a 1974 M-17 that I'm restoring. The previous owner removed the original ports in anticipation of replacing them with new, round ports. I'm thinking I may as well get some better ports than the original ones (in looks & function). What ports should I consider? Thanks in advance. Leonardo J. Velazquez
-- John Schinnerer - M.A., Whole Systems Design -------------------------------------------- - Eco-Living - Whole Systems Design Services People - Place - Learning - Integration john@eco-living.net - 510.982.1334 http://eco-living.net http://sociocracyconsulting.com