Bomar cast portlight (older style circa 1988) replacement seals

[nuku34]

I have an Alden 46 cutter built in 1988.
There are 12 heavy cast alloy opening portlights in the cabin sides. These are the ones with coil springs in the hinges and 2 black plastic screw-down dogs.
The seal is glued into a shallow 1/4 round groove about 15mm wide in the non-opening part of the portlight. It appears to be "D" shaped, with the flat side sealing against the thick plastic insert in the opening part of the portlight. I recon that when new, the seal stood about 5mm proud of the cast alloy part it was glued into.

The seals are not "one piece"; they are glued together at the top, so they are obviously cut to fit. The material is solid black rubber, not "sponge rubber".

Does anyone have a source for replacement material? I've looked at various rubber suppliers on-line, but there is nothing that would be a good fit.

I've tried Bomar's head office, but they are so far not responding. Same for the dealers.
Any help appreciated.

[GILow]

I just bought what I needed for my old bronze portlights from UES International. Different profile to yours, mine were simple 10mm x 6mm rectangular profile, but they did seem to have lots to choose from.

Probably not local to you but postage shouldn’t be all that much.

Edit: they seem to have a Kiwi presence.

[NSboatman]

Yes. I have the same portlights. They are good ones- excellent quality and you can get a great seal with them.
They take a solid round gasket material, 9/16” diameter, with an adhesive strip on one side.
Taco marine sells the correct gasket material. It is carried by west marine as well. Search on the west site for ‘9/16" Gasket for Molded Hatches, 10' Section’ and you’ll find it.

Good luck!

[NSboatman]

I replaced the gaskets on all of mine with this product and it has been excellent. 3 hurricanes and extensive offshore blue water exposure between Bermuda ns Newfoundland and they don’t leak a drop.

[nuku34]

Thanks very much for you very helpful suggestions! I'll order a length from West Marine.
Sincerely,
Sandy

[BAD ORCA]

Originally Posted by nuku34

I have an Alden 46 cutter built in 1988.
There are 12 heavy cast alloy opening portlights in the cabin sides. These are the ones with coil springs in the hinges and 2 black plastic screw-down dogs.
The seal is glued into a shallow 1/4 round groove about 15mm wide in the non-opening part of the portlight. It appears to be "D" shaped, with the flat side sealing against the thick plastic insert in the opening part of the portlight. I recon that when new, the seal stood about 5mm proud of the cast alloy part it was glued into.

The seals are not "one piece"; they are glued together at the top, so they are obviously cut to fit. The material is solid black rubber, not "sponge rubber".

Does anyone have a source for replacement material? I've looked at various rubber suppliers on-line, but there is nothing that would be a good fit.

I've tried Bomar's head office, but they are so far not responding. Same for the dealers.
Any help appreciated.

I got replacement seals (adhesive backed) from McMaster-Carr. I used round hollow instead and they have been leakproof since installed in 2016

[JPA Cate]

Hi, Sandy,

If you have a seal store nearby that stocks seals for one to replace onself for freezers, &c., sometimes they carry something like that. We had some success for our first Insatiable at one in Southport, Qld. (trying to move the source closer to NZ than WM.)

Have all of yours had a "D" shape from since you got the boat? Or could they have been "O" shaped like our Goiot hatches on I-1, and just become flattened from being closed tight so long? We've made our own "O" rings, using super glue for the glue, needs a good straight cut and patience.

Good luck with it.

Ann

[nuku34]

Hi Ann,
Thanks for the suggestion on glue. I think now that my seals were originally round and just got flattened with age.

[nuku34]

To NSboatman and the others:
If I get solid round rubber material, how "hard" would you suggest? I know its subjective, but some indication would be useful. Also, if it doesn't come with an adhesive already attached (like the West Marine ones), do you have a suggestion for adhesive? Some sort of double sided tape? Brush-on contact glue would be too messy I think.
Cheers,
Nuku