Opening port gasket replacement

[Jim Walsh]

Anyone know the specific McMaster part number for the exact replacement? There has been some controversy evident in the old threads so I'd like to avoid becoming the proud new owner of 100 feet of useless gasket material. I'll pay Spartans inflated price if necessary. If anyone has recently replaced their gaskets and wants to sell the unused 50 foot portion of the 100 foot roll lets get together.

[Russell]

Anyone know the specific McMaster part number for the exact replacement? There has been some controversy evident in the old threads so I'd like to avoid becoming the proud new owner of 100 feet of useless gasket material. I'll pay Spartans inflated price if necessary. If anyone has recently replaced their gaskets and wants to sell the unused 50 foot portion of the 100 foot roll lets get together.

I just bought the overpriced spartan gaskets, its nice to have an exact fit with no seam.

[Jim Walsh]

Seamless. Good to know. Do you have a gasket cement to recommend?

[swhfire21]

I used the following from Grainger - Rubber Seal, Solid Round, 0.5 In W, 25 Ft, Item # 10G523, Mfr. Model # X305-25, $32.15

I put in place using contact cement and cemented ends together to seal the joint. Mounted the gasket with joint on top. I did four ports and probably had enough left to do about 4 - 5 more.

[Steve Laume]

If you find the right gasket material and have to order more than you need, I will buy some from you.

It doesn't seem like it would be too hard to install with a seam, Steve.

[barfwinkle]

I thought I could find my left over roll of gasket foam that I mentioned in my reply above. This is exactly the same materail that is used for the portlight gaskets, and very easy to do it yourself.

You can obtain a 100' roll, the last roll you will ever have to by for about $40.00 from McMaster Carr.

http://www.mcmaster.com/

Part Number: 8605K44

Weather-Resistant EPDM Foam Rubber Cord 1/2" Diameter, 100' Length, In stock at $31.96 Each

You will be very glad that you did it!

This is what I used and someone bought the leftovers for use on their boat.

I completed the project as described by swhfire21 in their post above. The price has gone up to $52.

Fair Winds

[Ron M.]

I used 3M heavy duty automotive gasket adhesive, which is basically contact cement. Got it at napa.
Hard to believe it was 8 yrs. ago, it has held up well. I lubricate the gaskets yearly with silicon grease, (available at any diver's supply) keeps them supple.
Bought the edpm round rubber material from McMasters. Used it to replace hatch gaskets as well.

[John Stone]

I replaced all the gaskets on the Far Reach. I did it when the portlights were out of the boat but it makes no difference. I spent too much time looking for gaskets other than the overpriced Spartan gaskets. I was never satisfied I was going to get exactly what I wanted so in the end I went with the Spartan gaskets thinking they would be a perfect fit. Back then, Paul was the rep at Spartan. He was very insistent that I used Devcon Rubber cement that you can find at ACE Hardware. Since then, I have learned that some rubber products will dissolve if you apply regular contact cement due to the type of solvents used in them so I can better understand his concern. I can't say what the Spartan gaskets will do with regular contact cement though, since I used the Devcon. Here is the link to the install process I used: http://www.farreachvoyages.com/projects ... ights.html

I was not real happy with the Spartan gaskets. Yes, they were the right material. Yes, they came already cut to length and glued with a seam that you should install at the top. But, not all of them were a great fit. Some were a little small which made it difficult to glue them in place. The instruction from Spartan was to clean out the old material and sand, if necessary, the trough smooth; wipe the bronze "trough" down with acetone; then apply the glue only to the trough; carefully lay the gasket in place working from the top down pressing the portlight cover down as you go; and then tighten the port down as tight as possible and leave overnight to dry. I did that and some of them came right loose in some sections when I opened the port 24 hours later. Partly, it was applying the glue to only one side and partly it was the gaskets were a little small so they were trying to pull off the trough. So, I then glued them the way I have always used contact cement--I applied the glue to the gasket and the portlight. Much better. Later, after the portlights were installed, some of the gaskets (the ones that were a little small) in the areas that only received one part glue that originally held fast, came lose. So, I lifted the gasket up, cleaned the exposed trough with acetone and applied the Devcon rubber cement on both parts--gasket and trough allowing it to dray about five minutes. Then, I pressed the gasket into the trough and clamped the portlight cover down tight. I left them tight for about 48 hours. That seemed to be the trick. They appear to be in there very secure.

Two thoughts. At the time, I think if I knew I was getting exactly the gasket material I wanted I would probably have ordered it from McMaster Carr. But, after a too long refit, I have purchased a few additional pieces of replacement hardware from Spartan--the gaskets, some pad eyes, chain pipes, hinges, screws for trim rings and the cockpit hinges, etc. With the exception of a couple of the gaskets being a little small, all the products are top quality. Spartan Marine is not a big outfit. They have a lot of the original hardware for our boats. I have always received great service from them. I think, when it is possible, it is too our advantage to support them when we can--if the price is within our reach. I'd hate to see them go out of business and not be there to support us in the future . . . or generations of CD owners yet unborn. I can't say the same for RigRite, but that's another story.

[Sea Hunt Video]

. . . Spartan Marine is not a big outfit. They have a lot of the original hardware for our boats. I have always received great service from them. I think, when it is possible, it is too our advantage to support them when we can--if the price is within our reach. I'd hate to see them go out of business and not be there to support us in the future . . . or generations of CD owners yet unborn . . .

I agree 110%; I have been 100% satisfied with everything from Spartan. Paul (now retired) was exceptional at explaining things and making sure I got what I really needed (not necessarily what I "thought" I needed ) He saved me from a few SNAFUs.

[Russell]

I was under the impression the spartan gaskets were one piece without a seam, I guess I misunderstood (I ordered them 3 weeks ago, but have not received them yet, takes awhile to get things here).

[Jim Walsh]

There is a barely discernable diagonal seam in the Spartan gaskets. My gaskets are the originals.

[swhfire21]

At the end of the day even the manufacturer is buying an extrusion and has to cut and glue it to length. Can't be sure about the glue they are using but I bought mine from ACE hardware. Would have to dig it out to check brand but recall it was labeled for wet applications. So far I have no signs of leaks as after 7 months.

[barfwinkle]

So far I have no signs of leaks as after 7 months.

I have no leaks after 6-7 years.

Fair Winds

[Adamhagan]

I installed the Spartan gaskets 1.5 years ago and no leaks since. There is a diagonal seam, but they all fit perfect. I enjoyed the time saved on the project (with so many on the list) and also supporting our chandler. A+ rating from me

[Sea Hunt Video]

. . . I lubricate the gaskets yearly with silicon grease, (available at any diver's supply) keeps them supple.

When I acquired S/V Bali Ha'i I also lubricated the gasket seals with silicon to keep them flexible, durable, etc. They were somewhat dry and "flaky" before.

Sadly, after a few good South Florida rains, I noticed a black substance on the deck right below each of the port lights. It was somewhat "slippery" so I believe it was gasket material mixed with silicon. It was very difficult to remove it from the deck (used an aggressive cleaner) and, not surprisingly, the slippery black substance came back. It now appears to have stopped "oozing" out. I hope so because I am getting ready to Awlgrip the deck.

I am assuming that the silicon reacted with the gasket material and it "oozed" out onto the deck. I do not know what the gasket material is, although I assume they are not 32 year old original gaskets.

The port lights are (knock on wood) watertight so I am reluctant to redo the gaskets. "If it ain't broke don't fix it".