Replacing the Opening Ports on our Catalina 34

Replacing our C34 Cabin Opening Ports

I'm pretty sure that the opening ports on Eximius are Original. Most of them are severely crazed and several have worn out hinges so when they are opened they do not stay open.

Time to replace them - while they are still available.

I purchased Six new Lenses from Catalina Direct and had them on the boat for a couple of months while other stuff got crossed off the high priority ToDo list.

The new lenses are the Opening Port Lens, Lewmar 7-1/2" x 14-7/16", Upgrade. The new Lenses are tinted a smokey shade and I'm really pleased with the finish. 

In all I purchased 6 lenses, 6 pairs of locking dogs and 12 Replacement Hinges.

Opening Port Spring Hinges

Opening Port Locking Dogs

The process of replacing the lenses is simple.

Attach the new Locking 'dogs' to the new lens, the recess around the large holes is on the Inside of the lens. Then remove the nut holding the old lens to the hinge and attach the new lens. I used the new Bolt, Washer and Acorn nut.

Before I attached the new Lens, I checked the condition of the hinges. They have a spring which extends a tab into the indents of the moving part. At least one of the, plastic, springs were broken. To replace that spring, the hinge pin has to be removed. This was not an issue on most of the hinges, but a couple of the frames were overtightened at some time and the hinge pins were now below the surface and could not be removed without removing the inner part of the frame. I'm not prepared to do that right now, so those hinges will have to wait till later.

It took about an hour to replace the three Opening on the port side of the cabin, most of the effort was due to my body being reluctant to enjoy the opportunity of a bit of extra Boat Yoga.

I'll probably replace the other three later this week.

As I did not have to replace all of the hinges, I have several pieces left over - never a bad thing, I'll just have to remember where I put them!

See you on the Water.