25D Waste Tank Access Port

[branch.goodson]

The waste tank access port on the 25D is a deck plate located just in front of the engine. I need to replace mine. It is smaller in size than the 4" deck plates on the market today. Because its location restricts anything larger than the original size plate I am having difficulty finding one that will work. The outside diameter of the deck flange is 5-7/32" and can't exceed that to fit. Help!

[Joe Myerson]

Have you tried Spartan Marine Hardware in Robinhood, Maine?

http://www.robinhoodmarinecenter.com/spartanmarine/

They should have what you need. If not, they'll help you find it.
--Joe

[branch.goodson]

Thanks for responding. I did speak with a Cape Dory specialist at Robinhood before posting here. Unfortunately they had no suggestions over anything I had already checked. In surfing the internet further, I found and ordered a Ronstan 5" screw out Inspection hatch that has dimensions pretty close to the original deck plate. I have high hopes that this is the one. I will know in a few days.

[Joe Myerson]

Keep us posted. Some of your fellow 25D owners might find themselves facing the same problem.
Thanks,
--Joe

[rtbates]

It's a 3" port. You could do what I did and install the Sealand Monitoring System as it comes with the three monitoring tubes attached to a 3" screw in cover! New cover AND a monitoring system... http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?pat ... id=1368413

have you looked for a 3" screw in cover?

[Steve Laume]

I replaced the inspection plate on Raven and had to slightly enlarge the hole. It seems your problem is that the curve of the hull is too tight to allow room for the flange, if I understand correctly.

While it may not be as easy as simply popping in a replacement I do have an idea of how you could deal with this. If you built up a ring of material around the opening it would widen the flange area. It would also give you much more purchase for the screw threads. Raven's flange was secured with self tapping screws that were not all that secure. I switched to machine screws with washers and nuts on the inside but a thickened flange area would eliminate the need for that. You might have to provide weep holes to keep water from damming behind the raised area.

The simplest thing would be to fine an inspection port that was a close fit and then cut away part of the flange, Steve.

[branch.goodson]

I have finally found a replacement 4" deck plate through Bowmar. The original plate was a PYHI brand which now carried by Bowmar (still has PYHI logo). The cutout is the same size (4-1/4") but the flange is approximately 1/4" larger which just will fit.