Portlight Gasket Replacement

[sail2]

I have a Union Cutter 36 made in 1986. I need to replace the gasket in one portlight which is oval 14" x 5 5/8. The gasket measures .36 96/100 inches wide edge to edge. How do you measure depth? I've read conflicting information about getting a round vs square gasket, solid rubber vs hollow. There's no manufacturer's stamp on the brass itself. I'm open to advice
Thanks
Sail2

[JPA Cate]

What we did in a similar position was to remove the gasket and take it with us to a shop that sold many different kinds of gasket materials, and matched it. The new one will be plumped up, a bit, relative to the old one. Measure the groove, or stick some playdoh or clay in it, to learn its radius. You can figure something out. It will be some sort of standard gasket. Ours have all been solid and round.

Ann

[Orion Jim]

Don’t be fooled by the flattened oval appearance of your old gasket. The old gaskets on my Spartan bronze opening ports had the same look. The replacements are round and compress to the appearance of your old gaskets. I recommend Bomar replacement gasket material which has a peel away strip which reveals the contact cement stripe. Just press into position and you are golden. You can butt the ends together with a dab of contact cement. Don’t forget to butt the ends on the top of the frame. It’s an easy job once you have cleaned all the old gasket from the frame. I found a popsicle stick to be just the right size to safely remove the old gasket material from the groove in the frame and finished up with a bronze brush.
You can also buy a roll of half inch round gasket material and apply the contact cement yourself but it’s much simpler and less messy with the Bomar gasket. Plus, it’s the correct density.....if it’s not firm enough it won’t last.

[Bill O]

If you need something quickly to stop a leaker, I've used used closed cell foam rods called a caulk backer rod sold in home improvement stores. They come in different diameters (3/8, 1/2 and 5/8"), it actually works well and inexpensive.

It was a "temporary fix" that worked so well it lasted more than a short time.


Bill O.

[sanibel sailor]

Send me a PM, I sell gasket material by the foot on eBay. I'll send a sample.

[capn ken]

Originally Posted by sail2

I have a Union Cutter 36 made in 1986. I need to replace the gasket in one portlight which is oval 14" x 5 5/8. The gasket measures .36 96/100 inches wide edge to edge. How do you measure depth? I've read conflicting information about getting a round vs square gasket, solid rubber vs hollow. There's no manufacturer's stamp on the brass itself. I'm open to advice
Thanks
Sail2

Have you thought about using Sudbury Elastometric ? Flexible make for marine use .I have had good luck on my cal-29