Glazing Fixed Portholes

[boden36]

I have just dismantled 14 fixed portholes for re-plating.
They have been on the boat for 30 years.
The glass is retained by a threaded ring on the inside.
It appears that normal linseed oil glazing putty has been used to seal between the glass and the bronze port and seems to have worked OK.
My question is, do I continue using linseed oil putty when the glass is replaced, or is there a better modern alternative?
If I use the linseed oil based putty, are there any tricks which will improve the job?

Thanks,
Richard.

[Glenn.Brooks]

Richard,

I did a similar project when I restored my ancien’ Alberg 30 some years ago. Took off all the porthole frames and window glass and rebedded them with Dolphinite bedding compound. This stuff lasts 30 to 40 years with out leaking. Dolphinite was originally made for bedding wood to wood, but I’ve used it on glass and as a general bedding compound for cleats, stanchion basis, and every type of bolt and screw hole one could imagine finding on a boat. All with superb results. It cleans up very easily with a rag and paint thinner. Just don’t skimp on the application.

btw, the new owner of my Alberg has sailed over 10,000 NM from the west Coast, through the So Pacific, and is now somewhere along the coast outside Macau. He reports N0 leaks anywhere on the boat, after three years cruising, and more than 8 years after I rebeded everything on the boat.

Iam sure you would be happy using this stuff on your ports.

Glenn

[boden36]

Thanks Glenn,

I have ordered some and will see how it goes.

Regards,
Richard