On Sun, 02 Apr 2006 17:57:56 GMT, "Roger Long"
wrote:

I'm currently trying to replace the gaskets in my 1980 Beckson ports.
Someone posted here when I asked last fall about this that they got
gaskets from Beckson that were way too big and Beckson was
unresponsive.

I found Beckson as responsive as you could wish. They identified my
ports and sent me a whole new set for the boat. A pleasure doing
business with them. The gaskets were way larger but they were softer
and the rep assured me it was only because mine were flattened by 26
years of use.

I tried putting in the new gaskets today. It's a bit like core to
core splicing. It can be done but the instructions are not the whole
story.

Once the gaskets were in, it became clear that they are way, way, too
large. I can't even get the dogs on after leaning on the covers so
hard the cabin creaks. They are not going to "break in" to usability.

I've emailed Beckson. I expect them to be quite forthcoming based on
past exchanges. If any Beckson users want to follow this little drama
for their reference, please let me know and I'll put something on my
web site about it. Otherwise, I won't bore the rest of you with it
further.

I have a 5 x 12" opening Beckson port for my head that I am using to
replace a fixed port. I will likely be installing it this week, so I
will follow this with interest.

I just replaced three fixed portlights after 33 years (not me...all
the P.O.s). Don Casey's instructions in Hull and Deck Repair worked
for me, and if you are on the Great Lakes and merely replacing 1/8"
Plexiglas or Lexan portlights on a C&C or a similar boat, I recommend
a simple 3/8" bead of 50 year silicon sealant instead of butyl tape in
the aluminum frames.

The stock C&C/CS "grey" window gasketing works better around radiuses
corners if you heat in a bucket of hot water first. It takes working
in, but it's far more malleable.

I post this because this is just about the time of year many inshore
sailors in the North do this job.

R.