Which Replacement Portal?

[PneumatosII]

I am considering replacing my opening portals. They are approx 5"X12", 6 of them. I am familiar with New Found Metals, and they have them in SS for about $200. Any other suppliers to consider? Any experience with the NFM ones? Do they hold up well?
Thanks.

[S&S]

I've seen the NFM ports and wasn't impressed.

If you're going stainless, I recommend Man Ship Marine.

We have 3 hatches by them and they are very well done.

[PneumatosII]

Any idea where to get pricing info?

[Maddog]

That stuff looks good, top-o-line.

If you are on a budget, I installed 6 plastic ports I got from Beckson. $40/ea and have worked great. (x6) x $40 = $240 for the entire boat. Look in the overstock section.

Beckson Marine Inc.- Marine Hardware

[Maine Sail]

Originally Posted by S&S

I've seen the NFM ports and wasn't impressed.

If you're going stainless, I recommend Man Ship Marine.

We have 3 hatches by them and they are very well done.

What were you not impressed with? Can you expound?

I extensively researched, touched, felt and played with many manufacturers products, including Man Ship and despite the reasonable price the NFM ports won hands down. Price point was not a concern for me and the only thing that mattered was quality & functionality.

The Man Ship ports use rolled/stamped stainless frames (considerably cheaper to manufacture) vs. the much heavier cast stainless or bronze construction of the NFM port lights.

The NFM ports have preformed flawlessly and never once leaked a drop..

Here's an install article I wrote up on the installation process:

Installing NFM Ports (LINK)

[S&S]

Originally Posted by PneumatosII

Any idea where to get pricing info?

here's the dealer

Welcome to MARINEDEPOT INC. !

[S&S]

Originally Posted by Maine Sail

What were you not impressed with? Can you expound?

I extensively researched, touched, felt and played with many manufacturers products, including Man Ship and despite the reasonable price the NFM ports won hands down. Price point was not a concern for me and the only thing that mattered was quality & functionality.

The Man Ship ports use rolled/stamped stainless frames (considerably cheaper to manufacture) vs. the much heavier cast stainless or bronze construction of the NFM port lights.

The NFM ports have preformed flawlessly and never once leaked a drop..

Here's an install article I wrote up on the installation process:

Installing NFM Ports (LINK)

Glad they worked out for you. When I saw them the stainless ring was warpy and the welding kinda sloppy. There was also some (unsubstanitated) scuttlebutt going around about their metal quality but this was about 4 years ago.

FWIW, a heavy casting does not necessarily make for a better, or more expensive port. (just a heavier one) Roll forming stainless is more technically intensive than casting anyway. ( and provides a more uniform product).

Casting can hide many more flaws than roll forming.