[cp4000]

Hi everyone,
Have a 1988 3300 Open and had one of those "kicked in the gut" moments yesterday.  Bought the boat this Spring and have been over just about every inch of the boat so far...Was feeling really good about it until we had a good rain yesterday. I knew I had a small leak from above the galley/dinette, now I know there are two leaks.  The porthole above the galley is leaking from the bottom pretty good.  It doesn't look like the seal is leaking but the porthole frame itself.  What really made me sad was that the bottom set of screw holes are all stripped out.  The top ones are tight and grab but the bottom where it has been leaking, no.  I read that there are some rebuild kits but my big concern is the hull that it is fastened too.  I assume it is not solid fiberglass up there and probably cored.  So the core is probably rotted out and even with a rebuild kit, that ultimately won't fix the issue.  Has anyone out there had a similar experience?  Would greatly appreciate any input and would love to hear some good news right about now.     
Thanks everyone!
cp4000

[Misdirection]

Are you talking about the side portlight or overhead hatch?

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[cp4000]

The side porthole right above the galley stove/sink.
Thanks,
cp4000

[Misdirection]

A few years ago, I had to do a temporary fix...if you dont think its the gasket, but the frame, on the outside, take a razor blade and trace around the outside of the frame, angled down in a bit. Then take some clear silicone or even boatlife, cut the smallest possible opening in the tube, and put a small bead around the outside of the frame. If there is also a bead around the inner frame (where the two meet), you can add a bead there too. There is a small yellow dap tool to make a smooth bead which is useful.

This should get you by until you can fully take it apart and see whats going on.

Rebedding portlights is general maintenance. If not maintained, you'll get to where some of the core got wet. When you untimately remove the portlight, you may need to scrape out any wet core and refill. There are many youtube videos on this.

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[cp4000]

Thanks Misdirection,
Glad it's not as bad as I was thinking.  I will seal it up now in time for fishing tournaments and then take apart once she's on land.
Thanks again!

[Lucky Dog 33]

I’m having the same issue. 3 of my 6 side ports are leaking (doesn’t appear to be the gasket). Did you reseal it “temporarily”? If so did it work? I’m trying not to pull all 6 portholes until the boat is on the hard for winter to properly dry any wet coring.

[cp4000]

Hi Lucky Dog 33,
Unfortunately, I have not sealed the porthole yet.  A few other issues have surfaced that are much more important right now.  If I do, I will reply to the post.  If you get to it before I do, would love to hear what you did and what the results were.
Good luck!

[GeoDoc]

If you can see a gap on the outside of the frame, a temporary fix that is easier than caulk is Capt. Tolley's Creeping Crack Cure from Amazon or WM. It is a very thin sealant that fixes the leak by filling the gap over a few fast drying applications. You keep applying it until it stops going in. I have used it for years on all sorts of boat cracks including leaks where the lexan meets the metal on a hatch.

[Lucky Dog 33]

I did a “temp” fix for all my portholes. There is a joint on the outside frame. I cut out as much sealant as I could, cleaned with acetone, and caulked with life seal. Also put a bead all around the outside of the frame.

It worked!!!! No more soaked walls!!!! The gaskets were all in great shape. Over the winter I’ll pull them all out and rebed them.

For my overhead bomar hatches I did the same thing around the acrylic, and replaced the gaskets.

Cabin is now completely water tight…. Onto the next project.

[cp4000]

Thanks for the info GeoDoc.  Will look into that product...
Glad it worked for you Lucky Dog 33.  Not really sure what joint you are referring to.  I'll be on the boat all next week so I'll take a closer look.
Thanks again everyone!