A number of my ports, both on the side and atop the coach house, do not have enough friction to stay open. I’ve added some plastic washers inside the hinges without success. I don’t see how tightening the fasteners at the hinges can compress the inside of the hinges which is needed to add friction.
Don Ringsmuth
Selkie 30U425
East Hampton, NY
Don,
I have experienced the same thing on my ports. My hatches do not have the same hinge arrangement.
I had all of my ports (glazed section) out of the boat over the winter replacing the acrylic glazing and gaskets.
To apply adequate friction, loosen the left hinge bolt. Remove the right hinge bolt. Apply locktite to this bolt. Reinsert and tighten the right bolt to provide the required friction. Then let the locktite set.
When opening a port, the right bolt tends to tighten, the left bolt tends to loosen. By applying locktite to the right bolt and using that bolt for the friction, the moveable frame will be forced left against the washers on the right side of the hinges and the locktite will keep the right bolt in the required position.
Do your ports not have springs to hold them open? Maybe they have been removed by a PO?
Paul M
NS30U #211, Sandpiper
Cowichan Bay B.C.
No, there are no springs. How are they fitted?
Don Ringsmuth
Selkie 30U 425
East Hampton, NY
I believe there were never springs on my Atkins & Hoyle Ports.
Mine have coil springs on the hinge pins with protruding ends that bear against the cabin side and the top of the port frame. Closing the port tensions the springs and if you aren’t paying attention when you open them they will whack the cabin top as the springs release.
Paul M
I have the coil springs exactly as Paul M. describes. Bought the boat last year so I don’t know if they were original equipment or an upgrade
George Berntsen
30U #283, Wave Dancer
Black Rock CT
