Portlight in Companionway Door

[Anonymous7500]

Hi. I am in the process of purchasing an older Pearson. The companionway door has been worn to near paper thin by years of "cleaning" with a pressure washer. I am intending on building a new door, just like the old one, out of 3/4 teak. I want to put a non-opening portlight, about 8" diameter of glass, in the top panel. Unfortunately, finding one is outsmarting my googling ability. Is there anyone producing a simple, non-opening, stainless steel frame portlight?

I also have the resources of a CNC machine shop at my disposal to produce my own. However, building one of anything isn't exactly economical. Is there a market out there for such a product? If I could build a couple hundred of these things the price might be tolerable.

Thanks in advance!

[delmarrey]

Have you tried the automotive sources. Some vans use to have small ports.

i.e. Largest Selection of Van Accessories Online.

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[sarafina]

CraftsmanMarine - English

Portlights - Yacht 4000 Series Premium Portlights, and Heavy Duty Fabricated Portlights. Freeman Marine Equipment, Inc. provides the finest marine and specialty closures available. Custom fabricated doors, hatches, portlights and windows.

Sail Buyers Guide: Portlights & Windows

I am in need of a round deadlight also and man are these things pricey! I am now on the hunt at the swapmeets for something I can use in the hatch in the V berth. Just want a bit of light!

[Ironhorse74]

Just a thought for you. One of the nicest features of my boat is doors, with a track behind them. That way you can close the solid doors when you are not at the boat. Slide in an acrylic panel, when you need the light. Or put in drop boards while passage making.

[JimConlin]

For a cabinetmaker, a rectangular wood frame containing a piece of lexan is easy to build.
Mine was in the middle panel.
I would not do this in the lowest panel.

A related idea is to have alternate panels of the same size, but with screens.

[sarafina]

Originally Posted by Ironhorse74

Just a thought for you. One of the nicest features of my boat is doors, with a track behind them. That way you can close the solid doors when you are not at the boat. Slide in an acrylic panel, when you need the light. Or put in drop boards while passage making.

We have an acrylic drop in we use in place of hatch boards and really like it. Rarely do we need actually hatch boards. And all the light is lovely.

[Anonymous7500]

Apparently, a quality, stainless portlight is not commercially available! I thought sure someone on here would have first hand knowledge of where to get one. Oh well, if I produce some with 6" glass is anyone interested in one? I am not into high polish, so, anything that I produce will have clear machining marks in it. I will use stainless 303/304 and have the parts passivated (manufacturers speak for corrosion protection for stainless).

[AuroraGH]

One more vote for acrylic drop boards. Love mine, heavy, gotta be careful not to scratch it, but beautiful. I only require lights below at night.

[CHM]

I'm waiting for mine. Should make a nice difference.

[barnakiel]

There is a plexi window in the upper board here. Now I am thinking to find a very thick plexi and make two identical top washboards - one of them in dupy plexi. Then we could use this when we want light and regular plywood one when we want dark.

Inexpensive and works fine.

b.

[xymotic]

Have you tried newfound metals? I dunno what their min. thickness is, but if anyone makes a port like you want I'd think it'd be them

[AuroraGH]

Originally Posted by xymotic

Have you tried newfound metals? I dunno what their min. thickness is, but if anyone makes a port like you want I'd think it'd be them

They went out of business years ago. The product line is no longer actively produced but items can be special ordered from Port Townsend Foundry Port Townsend Foundry in Washington - they have all the forms.

They're not cheap, or fast, but they are quite good.

[James S]

This is what I did.

[xymotic]

Originally Posted by AuroraGH

They went out of business years ago. The product line is no longer actively produced but items can be special ordered from Port Townsend Foundry Port Townsend Foundry in Washington - they have all the forms.

They're not cheap, or fast, but they are quite good.

Uh oh!!! Somebody should tell the guy manning the booth at the Seattle boat show right now!

New Found Metals - Marine Hardware and Stainless Portlights

[AuroraGH]

Originally Posted by xymotic

Uh oh!!! Somebody should tell the guy manning the booth at the Seattle boat show right now!

New Found Metals - Marine Hardware and Stainless Portlights

Huh, somebody launched a new company with an old name. FWIW, NFM used to sell stanchions, rail fittings, and similar hardware. Port lights wasn't in the mix.

If you get the chance, you might ask them why Pt Townsend foundry is now making the old new found metals handrails (which I have on my Cape George 36).