port light frames, what wood?

[bassman1956]

I'm adding a couple port lights to my sharpie's cuddy. Now, it's an open-back cuddy, so there's no reason they need to seal water-tight, and a $500 set of ports would be out of place on her anyways. Am working at making my own "Root" or "Wiley" style windows such as this:



They will be 4" x 10" ID ovals, or about 5.5" x 11.5" overall. For an outside frame for the window itself, I picked up both a 3/4" thick slab of oak, and a piece of 1/4" ACX I could laminate triple-thick for 3/4". All would be epoxy-coated and set glued into the cuddy.

Outside of bright finish on the oak, vs paint over either, is there any significant strength or rot resistance preference for either wood?

[Pathfinder]

How did these Wiley ports turn out? Any photos of the outside or construction? Thanks - Dennis

[bassman1956]

The pieces are all made for the frames. 3/4" stock for the sides, 1/4" exterior ply for the faces. All shaped and painted and ready for final installation. Final prep/paint of the exterior to begin soon, then will do a final install of these. Still need the plexiglass.

I haven't posted any pics in ages, but these would be part of the updates in the photos. I think they will work well.

[Pathfinder]

I'm getting ready to put some ports on my Egret yawl, and wonder if you have any comments on how your Wiley ports turned out.

I'm looking for help on whether to make Wiley ports or purchase and install conventional ports. It would be great to see any photos or drawings...
Do they take up a lot of room inside? Leak in heavy weather? Thanks -

[bassman1956]

@ Pathfinder,

I haven't completed installation yet. I was really busting my butt to get that far before winter last year. Then I ran into unforeseen rot in the transom. So, I quit, and pushed it inside for the winter. But, I have fit all the pieces up, with screws. My white oak oval frames are a little proud inside, giving them a bit of a sealing edge. Also, have 1/4" x 1/8" half-round weatherstrip for them as well. And 3/8" thick plexiglass panels (so they don't flex much).

I could not see spending the hundreds of dollars metal ports would have cost, and didn't want plastic that wasn't even the shape i wanted. So, this is a good option to me. For a daysailor cuddy with an open back, I expect them to work very well.

Sorry I can't be of more help at this time.

[bassman1956]

see pics:
Blue is painters tape, as I was priming when these were taken. See far window inside, through near window outside, you can see the extra bracing added to build out for the Wiley boxes.

[bassman1956]

You can see more on my PhotoBucket page:

Boats by Karl Williams | Photobucket