Porthole Install: How-to

V

Valkyrie

New member
Hi Brats,

Valkyrie is now sporting a pair of Vetus PM21 portholes which should add both light and air to the v-berth. I've just added a nested album with step-by-step installation instructions for those with enough guts to cut big holes in their boat. Quite frankly, I didn't do this myself, but deferred to a local shop and they did the work. I just cringed and took photos.

The unit is a Vetus PM21 and is very well made and at $178 per they should be. They are aluminum and very stout. The inner trim ring actually clamps to the outer unit with screws and is very secure. The window ratchets up by degrees and won't fall down and close. There are two substantial dogs that insure that it will be watertight. Surprisingly, the portholes don't come with a template or screws.

As noted in one photo, be sure to tape a garbage bag over the cut area from the inside before going to work with the router. I didn't and what a mess there was!

Note: I was prompted to do this after seeing the same installation on C-Batical owned by Rollie, another Great Lakes C-Brat. He did the research and determined that the PM21 was correctly sized for the slight curvature of the cabin trunk. Rollie is another C-Brat friend that I have never met in person, but has gone out of his way to be helpful.

I'm sure that others have added portholes, but this is a first for me.

Regards,

Nick
"Valkyrie"
 
Very nice Nick. I have thought many times about adding a porthole up front, if nothing else but to see out quickly if something's going on while you're in the berth. Hey, maybe you've started a new trend!!!

Probably a dumb question, but can water come in if you crack it open while it's raining?
 
Steve,

I afraid that I can't answer that question yet. Valkyrie is still in the shop and the "rain" here is piled up about eight inches deep in our yard!

I'm sure when Rollie on C-Batical sees this he'll chime in with an answer to your question; if there's a trend he started it. There are probably more out there, too. I think Sea Skipper has added portholes, as well. I'm just "borrowing" ideas from others.

Nick
"Valkyrie"
 
Hi Steve,

I installed my ports last year and used them all season in both gentle rains and downpours. When it is really raining or the wind is into the open port, they will allow some rain to enter just like an open window at home. However, in a gentle rain coming straight down the water runs around the outside frame and does not leak through, through you will always have a some water enter through the opening. I always keep my screens in place when the ports are open and this helps keep some of the rain out. They certainly increase the cross through ventilation of the v-berth.

Best regards,
 
Very cool! Patty wants them on Daydream! I am curious, the tool being used to cut the hole out is called a "router" but it looks nothing like the router I have...is it really a router? What kind of bit?
 
Pat, it's kind of like a dremel tool on steroids, Harbor Freight has them I believe, less than $20 if I remember. That one looks more like a professional model. Very small bit.
 
The tool used is a Roto Zip. If you want to stay out of trouble use a jig saw as it worked fine for installing our port holes :D
The roto zips are tricky to use.
 
Pat,

Rollie emailed me and mentioned that he avoided the Roto Zip, as well. He installed his with a fine-bladed keyhole hand saw. Once again, I had mine professionally installed. They made sure that they had a fresh, sharp "blade/bit" (?) for the project.

mmitchell: thanks for correction. I changed the copy in our album.

Nick
"Valkyrie"
 
NIck,
Nice job. Wonder about the flat portholes and how they fit to the curvature of the trunk. How is that accommodated?
Thanks,
Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
Harvey,

The short length accommodates the curvature without a problem. When adding the caulk, a little more is needed on the ends than in the middle, but it is not noticeable.

Actually, I was interested in going with a larger unit and talked to Rollie about his decision for the PM 21 and not the PM22. He researched it extensively before putting the PM21 on C-Batical. He determined that larger portholes would cause the problem that you mention. I deferred to his judgment and the fact that he had done the installation and lived with it for a season.

Now, Marcia and I will have to train ourselves to close the darn things before heading out of the marina to avoid any unwanted surprises.

Regards,

Nick
"Valkyrie"
 
From Valkyrie:
Now, Marcia and I will have to train ourselves to close the darn things before heading out of the marina to avoid any unwanted surprises.
Click to expand...
When I first started I used to like to leave the foredeck hatch cracked open for a bit of flow through ventilation, until we got into a set of 6- 8 foot waves and took green water over the bow, but fortuantly not over teh vee-birht trunk. From then on it has been a standard practice, hatche is shut and battened.

Thanks for the response,

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
Valkyrie":3jmo4n8z said:
Pat,

Rollie emailed me and mentioned that he avoided the Roto Zip, as well. He installed his with a fine-bladed keyhole hand saw. Once again, I had mine professionally. They made sure that they had a fresh, sharp "blade/bit" (?) for the project.

mmitchell: thanks for correction. I changed the copy in our album.

Nick
"Valkyrie"
Click to expand...
 
Nick,

Great job. I've been thinking about adding a couple and I've been searching the net looking around. My only concern is I'm on the coast with salt air and of course salt water and I'm somewhat hesitant about the aluminum. You're in OH, I believe. How are they holding up after the summer? I'm assuming you're mostly freshwater?

Norm
 
Norm,

The aluminum frames are anodized, that will help them to stand up to the salt environment.
I had checked into some stainless frames- too rich for me :shock:
 
Nick,

I agree w/ you on the pricing. S.S. sports ~$600/5"x12" & bronze sports ~$500/5"x12". Like I say, I've been doing some serious thinking about them - I think they make a great addition for not only security (as peepholes), but ventilation, as well. I'm sure you're enjoying yours.

Norm
 
Check out Nora Lim a cc-23 with portholes I believe they are Beckson PO 310 they look really nice on the Ventures . I'm hoping I can get some put on the Jennykatz , if only these Hurricanes would stop coming in and it would cool down to 90 or below . JIM on Jennykatz(Duck)
 
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