Portlight Poses Pertinacious Problem

[capnsensible]

Spent the morning leak seeking.

Imagine my surprise when I took the plastic surround off a portlight and found all 16 securing screws loose. Truly amazed to find the same problem on all of the 5 others, so that is 96 screws not fitted properly on a 3 year old boat.

Whether it's from temperature change, vibration or whatever, I reckon it's well shoddy.

You may wish to check yours if it is a Lewmar portlight as fitted to most Bavaria yachts.

If it turns out I am not allowed to mention trade names, the portlight comes from a place with 2 syllables, first rhymes with phew, second with tar. Boat builder has a reputation for its staff slapping each others leather trousered bottoms to music.

Keep your bilges dry!

 

[West Coast]

Interesting!

Last weekend, I removed all 8 of my windows to have the glazing replaced (original glazing in a 1993 Starlight 35) and around 75% of all the screws were loose! I have had a couple of small leaks and put it down to the frame/GRP seal breaking down over the years, but the loose bolts really concerned me.

The windows are lewmar type with an aluminium frame, clamped place with setscrews through an aluminium backing plate on the cabin side.

Perhaps as the frame/GRP sealant has moved and broken down over the years, this has allowed some movment which has made the bolts loose.

 

[Stemar]

...

Perhaps as the frame/GRP sealant has moved and broken down over the years, this has allowed some movment which has made the bolts loose.

Or the sealant has shrunk, leaving the previously tight bolts loose?

 

[alahol2]

I go round all my deck fittings/windows every winter with a screwdriver/spanner. It never ceases to amaze me how often I find a loose screw. There seems to be no rhyme nor reason. Do the same check on the engine and everything is tight. Again on jubilee clips and often manage a quarter turn.