Removing Plastic Ports CD28

[Chris Holme]

I'm about to embark on upgrading the ports on our CD28 from plastic to bronze.
My imediate concern is the removal of the original plastic ports. Some of the studs turn with the nut - hindering their removal. I also don't see where the 2 halves join - so any hints/tips about this, or anything else that may be helpful, would be most appreciated.
Thanks in advance, Chris

SV Feather, CD28, #87



chris@annapolis.net

[Clay Stalker]

I'm about to embark on upgrading the ports on our CD28 from plastic to bronze.
My imediate concern is the removal of the original plastic ports. Some of the studs turn with the nut - hindering their removal. I also don't see where the 2 halves join - so any hints/tips about this, or anything else that may be helpful, would be most appreciated.
Thanks in advance, Chris

SV Feather, CD28, #87

Hi:

Not sure if those plastic ports are Beckson, but I think some of them were. I removed Beckson ports from my Quickstep a few years ago...so maybe this will help. The outside trim ring can be pried off and will reveal some nuts...if the stud is turning, this will be a two-person job...one to work inside, one outside. Takes a wrench on both nuts to remove. Good luck!

Clay Stalker



cstalker@cheshire.net

[wayne grenier]

I'm about to embark on upgrading the ports on our CD28 from plastic to bronze.
My imediate concern is the removal of the original plastic ports. Some of the studs turn with the nut - hindering their removal. I also don't see where the 2 halves join - so any hints/tips about this, or anything else that may be helpful, would be most appreciated.
Thanks in advance, Chris

SV Feather, CD28, #87

You must have one of the older cd 28's like my 1974 model. The plastic ports drove me insane because there was a lip one the outside that held water and through the years people had broken the latches by tightening them too much-they leaked and leaked-I replaced them myself-but not with bronze-as at $300 per it would have cost me $2,400!I removed the trim rings from the outside and the windows came out easily-I wish I could tell you how but I don't remember-using the trim rings as a template I had a local sheet metal place make up aluminum window frames. I went to a plexiglass place and bought a sheet of 1/4 clear lexan-tinted is even cooler looking! and cut them out myself-the shop would gladly do it for you-I then pre-drilled some holes in the frames-got some stainless steel sheet metal screws and caulking and viola! screwed the frame through the lexan right into the cabin top-$300-8 new windows-they don't open but they don't leak! these originial windows were a disaster-completely useless-I know Cape Dory only used them for 1-2 years-perhaps they couldn't get the brass/bronze ones-but at $300 apiece-they are expense-I mean you can almost get a complete set of sails for that-besides my new windows look sharp (at least I think so) let me know if you need photos-see ya

Hi:

Not sure if those plastic ports are Beckson, but I think some of them were. I removed Beckson ports from my Quickstep a few years ago...so maybe this will help. The outside trim ring can be pried off and will reveal some nuts...if the stud is turning, this will be a two-person job...one to work inside, one outside. Takes a wrench on both nuts to remove. Good luck!

Clay Stalker

grenier@ma.ultranet.com

[Tim Akers]

Chris, did you find a deal on new ports? I need to do the same thing and have been hunting bronze ports at a reasonable price.
Thanks, Tim

s/v Nightwind CD28 #67

I'm about to embark on upgrading the ports on our CD28 from plastic to bronze.
My imediate concern is the removal of the original plastic ports. Some of the studs turn with the nut - hindering their removal. I also don't see where the 2 halves join - so any hints/tips about this, or anything else that may be helpful, would be most appreciated.
Thanks in advance, Chris

SV Feather, CD28, #87

tcakers@bellsouth.net

[Chris Holme]

Tim,
The plastic ports on my boat are rapidly self-destructing and some can no longer be closed as the wing nuts or ears have broken either from years of being overtightened or maybe just succumbing to UV.
I chose ports from New Found Metals after seeing them at the Annapolis boat show. You can decide whether-or-not they are a deal - but I think they are well designed and constructed, in-line pricewise with name brand aluminum ports, and will certainly look a whole lot nicer when I'm done.
They are on the web at:
http://www.newfoundmetals.com/index.htm
Good luck, Chris

Chris, did you find a deal on new ports? I need to do the same thing and have been hunting bronze ports at a reasonable price.
Thanks, Tim

s/v Nightwind CD28 #67

I'm about to embark on upgrading the ports on our CD28 from plastic to bronze.
My imediate concern is the removal of the original plastic ports. Some of the studs turn with the nut - hindering their removal. I also don't see where the 2 halves join - so any hints/tips about this, or anything else that may be helpful, would be most appreciated.
Thanks in advance, Chris

SV Feather, CD28, #87

chris@annapolis.net

[Jim Stull]

I second Chris's recommendation.
We replaced the miserable plastic portlites on our 1975 CD25 with the ones from NFM 5 years ago.
We have been very happy with them. Big dif in the boat being able to open on hot nights. Leak free also.
This was a lot of work on the CD25 tho because the shape was different.
(Still, it was worth the work!)
Jim



jtstull@earthlink.net

[Eric]

I've got the same miserable plastic port holes on my '78 CD 25. How much did they charge for the ports? What material were they made of? Did you provide the dimensions to them? If so, do you still have them?

Cheers

eric

I second Chris's recommendation.
We replaced the miserable plastic portlites on our 1975 CD25 with the ones from NFM 5 years ago.
We have been very happy with them. Big dif in the boat being able to open on hot nights. Leak free also.
This was a lot of work on the CD25 tho because the shape was different.
(Still, it was worth the work!)
Jim

[Jim Stull]

I used the closest stock size they make, reglassed the cabin side and recut to fit. I was surprised how poorly the factory fit was. In some places the gap was 1/2", then filled with caulking, which of course had dried out. I can e-mail a couple of photos if you wish.
Jim



jtstull@earthlink.net

[Chris Holme]

I followed their instructions for measuring and bought 5 x 12's for the small openings and 8 x18's for the 2 large ones. Don't remember the price but it was in line with name brand aluminum ports. They are on the web at:
http://www.newfoundmetals.com/index.htm
Good luck, Chris

I've got the same miserable plastic port holes on my '78 CD 25. How much did they charge for the ports? What material were they made of? Did you provide the dimensions to them? If so, do you still have them?

Cheers

eric

I second Chris's recommendation.
We replaced the miserable plastic portlites on our 1975 CD25 with the ones from NFM 5 years ago.
We have been very happy with them. Big dif in the boat being able to open on hot nights. Leak free also.
This was a lot of work on the CD25 tho because the shape was different.
(Still, it was worth the work!)
Jim

chris@annapolis.net