Lewmar Portlight seals

[neil1967]

The seals on some of my lewmar portlights need replacing (30 years old, shrunken and stiff, no jokes please). I understand lewmar replacements are 40 pounds plus and are not easy to replace. I seem to recall - although I can't find where - that 9mm neoprene cord can be used instead and just be glued in place. Has anyone done this, and if so where did you get the neoprene cord (seals direct?) and what glue did you use. Most importantly, was it successful?

 

[wilkinsonsails]

Try Hadlow marine .Lots of seals and info .Sorry not got link at mo.

 

[Trident]

seals direct dit co dot uk

 

[lw395]

I've bought foam neoprene cord on ebay, for dinghy hatch cover seals.
I use 5mm instead of the 4mm standard for Holt/allen hatches.
Glue it into a ring with superglue from toolstation.

 

[Jamie Dundee]

+1 for seals direct. They sell the Lewmar seals and also a cheaper replacement, I did mine on my last boat.

 

[peterhull]

+1 for seals direct. They sell the Lewmar seals and also a cheaper replacement, I did mine on my last boat.

recommend seals direct very helpful

 

[JumbleDuck]

The seals on some of my lewmar portlights need replacing (30 years old, shrunken and stiff, no jokes please). I understand lewmar replacements are 40 pounds plus and are not easy to replace. I seem to recall - although I can't find where - that 9mm neoprene cord can be used instead and just be glued in place. Has anyone done this, and if so where did you get the neoprene cord (seals direct?) and what glue did you use. Most importantly, was it successful?

I had exactly the same problem. Seals Direct offered to sell me the right thing, but they were then about £35 each, my boat has seven portlights and I balked. As a substitute they suggested 8mm (I think) Neoprene cord, butt-joined with superglue and held in place with a bead of silicone. The first one took me about an hour to do but by the end I could do one in ten minutes or so. The total cost was about twenty quid and it worked a treat - I haven't had a drip in the ten years since.

 

[peterhull]

yes Seals Direct tend to be pricey. I did some windows with their advice and that seems to have worked OK. It was a particularly difficult job and took me a long time with 2 types of seals neoprene and an edge seal.

I bought a neoprene seal for a non-standard GRP forehatch but not fitted yet. They recommended their waterproof contact adhesive but you must be sure where it is put as once contact is made it is stuck fast!! I have decided to make a GRP channel on the underside to make sure that the seal is positioned exactly where it is needed.

 

[JumbleDuck]

yes Seals Direct tend to be pricey.

Their genuine Lewmar seals were significantly cheaper than other suppliers when I asked.