Opening portholes

Posted By: Scott Widmier, Mac 26D, Kennesaw, GA
Date: 11/26/07 7:39a.m.

Report: outside forum guidelines

In Response To: window (pic) (Eric)

It really isn't hard to fill in the openings and start all over with opening portholes. First, remove the old plexiglass using a piece of wire to saw through the caulk. Take a piece of 3/8" plywood and cut it into a piece that can be held on the outside of the current opening. Tape it in place and go inside the boat with a pencil and trace the opening. Cut this out and you have a plug to fill the old opening. I then fiberglassed the outside of this plug and let it harden before epoxying the plug in place. I used pieces of wood on the inside to hold it in place but afterwards realized I didn't have to take that extra step. Once the plug is epoxied in place you can then trace the opening for the new portholes, cut the openings, and install the new portholes. Innerlux off-white (4381) one-part topside paint actually provides an excellent match to old fiberglass only standing out on my boat because it is shinier. Wondering how it will look after I use poliglow to shine up my fiberglass.