Leaky taiwanese inspection ports

[seafox]

I have one of those cheap 6inch round inspection ports in my anchor/rope locker. It leads to the fore cabin bulkhead.
Every time we have a rough crossing over the strait and the bow has water coming over it the dam thing leaks onto the fore cabin bed.

What other sorts of inspection ports or hatches other than the cheap taiwan jobs do you all use? It really only needs to be big enough to get a power cord through into the interior of the boat. The port is inside the locker and there is not room for a large hatch.

[never monday]

how about taping the anchor locker shut when on passage?

[Alan Wheeler]

Try SoPac Marine stuff. Same design, better Quality.

[Weyalan]

I have round (6" diameter maybe) ports that can be screwed in/out for access / inspection. In fact, since they are clear plastic, you can just peer through. The only trick is to make sure that you grease the thread before screwing them in, otherwise they can be a bugger to unscrew.

[Alan Wheeler]

But do not use a oil based grease. It will cause the plastic to crack.

[NoTies]

Take it out and fit a theaded ABS plastic flange and fit an ABS plug to the flange. 3" should do, Mastertrade or any plumber supply shop will do.

[seafox]

Now that sounds the trick. Does the ABS plug screw into the flange? I'd be pretty keen to fibreglass the old 6inch hole and drill a smaller one that.

[seafox]

how about taping the anchor locker shut when on passage?

I am crossing the strait all the time.
Too much of a hassle. It is a big locker and tape is never that good anyway.

[NoTies]

A 3" threaded flange would probably bolt right over the existing hole and the plug would just screw into the hole by hand without any problem. A bit of thread tape would help if needed. A bit of an "industrial" solution but done from the anchor well side should look OK and definitely be strong & watertight.

[seafox]

thanks,
thats exactly the sort of fix I was wanting.

[Pblais]

I had two on a dinghy that were leaking badly. The cover had a large O ring seal that was dried out. I picked some new ones from Mcmaster-Carr web site. If it has/had an O ring then putting anything on the threads won't stop the leak.

[Thermal]

Originally Posted by seafox

It really only needs to be big enough to get a power cord through into the interior of the boat.

How about sealing the port and installing one of those shore-power fittings?

[seafox]

Good idea but I like the ventilation the small hole provides.

[GordMay]

You’re asking a lot of a Taiwanese inspection port:
ie: gas permeable (for air ventilation) ~ but not liquid permeable (no water leak).
How about an oversized soft contact lens (ophthalmological) material?

[S/V Elusive]

Originally Posted by GordMay

You’re asking a lot of a Taiwanese inspection port:
ie: gas permeable (for air ventilation) ~ but not liquid permeable (no water leak).
How about an oversized soft contact lens (ophthalmological) material?

Oye ... Gord? You been spending way too much time in the higher latitudes - all that time bundled up with the cold beating away at you. You've obviously lost sight of the thread's topic. I could turn a blind eye towards this transgression, but the oath of moderator precludes that.

I'm sure that you'll stay focused in the future, however, we obviously have to ... keep an eye on you!