Anyone know what this Porthole is?

[Cheechako]

Yes Plastic or aluminum? I'd be surprised if both aluminum brackets broke off...?
It looks like it may be in a place where you could live without an opening portlite...?
You might find a non opening replacement cheap that will fit.
For immediate repair you might drill and tap for a couple bolts into the frame to hold it shut. Of course this means you should replace eventually.
A weld repair may be more money than a new one... or as much... with possible limited results, the difficulty of removal and replacement is more than the cost of a new portlite.
Later: I finally got the pic to enlarge... it does appear to be cast aluminum probably.

[OS2Dude]

Some JB Weld might do the trick. Various posts on automotive sites say it works wonders with porous metals such as cast aluminum. Put a straw or something around the pin and put a glob on as neatly as you can and see how it goes. If you have the part that broke off, you could even try it to put it back on. You need to leave some space for the JB Weld, you can't just put a little on a squeeze it all out and still have it work.

[Capt_Flrp]

I thought I remembered looking at the portholes sometime ago and being surprised that the Fuller Brush Co. would be selling portholes. I looked up the link and followed the "about us" link to find that it IS the old Fuller Brush Company, uplifted, re-branded, or whatever. They used to sell all kinds of things door-to-door and I remember them calling on my family as well.

[Chas.7]

Hello,
If it's aluminum and you want to attempt wielding it. You could smoke the aluminum black with a gas cigarette lighter, get a stick wielding rod for aluminum and use a propane torch to do the wield. Heat the aluminum until the black soot disappears then the metal is hot enough, apply the aluminum stick rod. To much heat will melt the item, new aluminum rods are required as they will go bad within a hour of opening the package. Practice on scrap.
Good luck

[paulajayne]

Originally Posted by Cadence

And have the right equipment and welding medium. Anyone that has a buzz box and says they can do it. Stay away from.

I think that was a given.

[snarron]

Fuller Brush port lights look very similar to some I saw on eBay for $65, the seller had 3 to sell. Check them out!
Good luck!

[AmericanVagrant]

Won't necessarily work in this situation, but something to keep in the toolbox!

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[Adrian NAMT]

I agree with Greason - Atkins and Hoyle

If it is you can still get the parts & they have a big sale now for new ports & hatches.

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by paulajayne

I think that was a given.

Not necessarily. I just got spam needing me to validate my bank account on this link with SSN. Someone will buy into that also. I just saw you can do it blackening it and using a torch. I hope that was in jest.

I had a guy do it as a favor. His welder was about the size of a residential reefer. He was Navy yard ret. the welder was also surplus.

I have a buzz box and a wire feed and a torch. If anyone wants big holes blown in their cast aluminum, I'm their man.

[svJasmine]

an instant fix will be drill two holes thru the porthole and tap the frame in two spots. Tighten those screws just enough to compress the gasket and prevent leaking.

then you can take your time in repairing.

[s/v Jedi]

Yes it is an aluminum Bomar hatch. I got 7 of them.

[Nicholson58]

Originally Posted by JamesCraig

This porthole has 2 broken clasps and needs urgent replacement.

Does anyone know the brand of this?
Or better yet, where/how I can replace it?

The yacht is a 1982 Gulfstar Sailmaster.

I have a 1984 Camper-Nicholson. Same side ports. I think they are Lewmar. I see others call it by another mfg. I could be wrong - my top hatches are Lewmar Ocean obsolete hatches.


Cast aluminum can be easily welded by a reasonably skilled technician with a TIG welder. I have stuff like this fixed in our weld shop a couple times/year for about a 6-pack. Probably obsolete now so you otherwise need old stock or find a replacement.

BTW, fix the leaking, cracked gasket by: clean with solvent; apply 3M black 4200 and spread it carefully with your finger.

[socaldmax]

You could just buy 2 bolts with knobs on them, similar to the current knobs, then grind off the broken ears and drill and tap 2 holes for the new bolts. It will work essentially like the original setup, except you'll have to unscrew them instead of them swiveling downward to open the porthole.

[JamesCraig]

Originally Posted by SteveSails

Since you said 'urgent need' I'll assume you're looking for a quick fix as in make it safe to go offshore. Try this:

Drill and tap the frame for a bolt or machine screw to hold the port closed. If you're careful you may not need to remove the frame. Use a blind tap to finish the tapped hole. Glop up the end of the screw with some sealant and screw the port down. Safe to cross an ocean until you find a replacement or do a proper fix.

Doubt those ports are being made today but you could try some of the consignment houses, such as Bacon in Annapolis MD, that may have an old one.

Good Luck

Thanks Steve, the Tap thread option worked a treat.