Rain shields for ports
Date: October 18, 2000
From: Jerry Bernath bernathj@pocketmail.com
Hi Paul, greetings from Wilmington, NC.
I have a problem with water entering through the ports in my E42. This is due to the angle at which they are installed. My thinking is that eyebrows placed above them will help solve this problem but I cannot find any. Can you broadcast to the Forum and see if anyone knows a source for them? Thanks and Rgds.
Date: October 18, 2000 3:51:28 PM
From: Carl Hibbard Chgypsy@aol.com
Hello Jerry,
Beckson makes port eyebrows, as does SSI products.
Both are plastic but the SSI's are a soft vinyly ??? While the Becksons are a hard.
Both brands are available in the catalogs (get to the ports) but normally only one brand name per catalog name. Ergo I believe that Defender carried Beckson (I know that M&E used to )........As you are using your pocketmail I am imagining you are out cruising around somewhere ??
Date: October 18, 2000
From: Wolfgang Harms Wolfgang@pioneer-research.com
I have installed Beckson Rainshields. They have different sizes. It helps.
Their phone is 203 333 1412.
They are exposed and we broke 2 by stepping on them. They could have been made thicker or or unbreakable material. But I also installed all new "selfdraining" ports from Beckson. These ports have one problem: They are mounted with through-hull scews squeezing the inside window and the outside frame together, and in between is the fiberglass plus the teak panel. This means that water which gets into the sealing area will be getting into the teak panel before it reaches the window. The sealing caulking gets brittle after a while, and needs to be re-caulked after 5 years. The teak absorbs moisture easily like a sponge. This caused it to rot. When I tried to take the ports out, the teak broke all apart underneath the window. So I think the re-caulking might even have to be done more often.
Vetus sells some Dutch ports that seem to be designed differently. This problem could not happen according to their brochure. But I don't know anyone who tried them.
Date: November 5, 2000
From: Allen Knapp acknapp@attglobal.net
Jerry,
My E42 has eyebrows made by SSI. They were on the boat when I bought it, so I am not sure of a source. They seem to do a good job. Have you had any other replies? I would be interested in knowing what you come up with.
