SS fabrication ?

This is probably a question for Martin but others may also have had SS parts custom made so please chime in.

Down the line we will definitely be replacing the plastic portholes with the stainless steel ones from NewFooundMetals. I am wondering if it is feasible to have the rear Ericson-trademark fixed aluminum portlights replaced with custom SS frames ? I suspect the cost will be prohibitive but I'd like to know if anyone has seen anything like that ?

I am also thinking that I will want to re-engineer the deck and bulkhead re-enforcements under the new removable cutter stay. The rigger is great but I don't think he appreciates the loads a cutter stay can exert on a flexing hull and deck. Who should I contact if I had a design for the SS parts I'd like manufactured to create that stronger attachment point and carry the load ?

Thanks,


-Sven

My fab guy out here on the east coast makes this sort of stuff all the time. Made a beautiful set of fixed ports for a Choey Lee from SS that replicate the OEM version. They were half the price NFM quoted when we were pricing the job. As for the structural stuff if you want to be sure you would be best served consulting a naval architect. I would be a little scared if your rigger did not use one for the job in the first place actually...

My fab guy's contact info is below if you are interested.

Rhode River Fabrication
Pete Appell
410-279-0210

Thanks Ted.

That's encouraging about the custom replacement portholes. At least it isn't so outrageous that nobody else has done it

Re the structural needs, yes I will at a minimum do some of the structural loading calculations to see what order of magnitude forces need to be handled and compare that to what is there to support them. If I'm not confident that I can get several factors of margin I won't use the cutter stay until I find a solution.



-Sven

SS fabrication

If you search under "portlights", somewhere you'll find TReilley's threads regarding replacing the large fixed assymetrical portlights. I believe he sourced them from Bomon, and had nothing but praise for the quality and service. I remember he said they were around $300+/- apiece. Occasionally I see new Lewmar's on Ebay, but they will only fit the forward portlights.
Good luck,
Clayton

Shutts Fabricators

Hi Sven,

Glad you are enjoying your new boat! If you are still in Socal go see Mark Shutts at Shutts Fabricators in the Long Beach Marina, and tell him I referred you.

Like most of the boat building and related talent in the area, he is eccentric, but very gifted with a welding tool!


Show him your project and see what he says..

Ciao from Sao Paulo (if this is Sunday it must be Sao Paulo!),

Cheers!
S

Thanks

Clayton and Seth,

Thanks for the suggestions.



-Sven

For most SS fabrication, you can just look in the yellow pages under 'machine shop'.

I would be interested in pictures of any custom portlights, I tried to find a source once and failed.

If the stay you describe does not attach to the deck at a point where you can bolt the stay to something underneath, perhaps you could rig something downwards through the cabin with a couple of turnbuckles to attach to something solid in the V berth? Or maybe the hull if above the water line? Just a thought, worth what you have paid for it.

Gareth
Freyja E35 241 1972

Hi Gareth,

gareth harris said:

If the stay you describe does not attach to the deck at a point where you can bolt the stay to something underneath, perhaps you could rig something downwards through the cabin with a couple of turnbuckles to attach to something solid in the V berth? Or maybe the hull if above the water line?

Click to expand...

If we ever got to the SS portlights I'll definitely let you know.

The removable stay attaches to the deck at the anchor locker bulkhead. I'll tie it into the bulkhead and also carry the load around the anchor locker door with a SS strap on each side before we actually use the stay.

Since the stay is removable and we would not sleep in the v-berth under way I had considered a removable attachment strap going down through the v-berth to the hull. If it wasn't at the anchor locker bulkhead that is probably what I would have done.


-Sven

SS fabrication

Sven
If you do an autocad drawing of the parts you need made, they can be waterjet cut, (or laser cut if you want to have very close tolerances) at a variety of contractors in your area. Then it's nice if they also have TIG welders to weld them together but if they don't, there are lots of welders around. Specify the grade of SS you want them to make it out of, and most of the work will be making the edges look finished and polishing if you need that.
For portlights a glass shop can cut to your autocad file and temper it.
If you want opening portlights it gets a bit more complicated.

I would be surprised if you couldn't do these for less than semi custom purchased ones - depends if you get trade prices at contractors.

If you need help with the drawings let me know - I have an e-39.
If your portlights match mine I'd even consider making some for both of us.
You do the finishing on yours though.

John Gleadle

Hi John,

Shamwari said:

If your portlights match mine I'd even consider making some for both of us.
You do the finishing on yours though.

Click to expand...

Why won't you finish ours ?

Kidding aside. That is a very interesting idea. I've been trying to imagine how ours are designed in three-D, the gasket and all. The rubber (if that is what it is) is very suspect at this point and a SS replacement with new gaskets could be just what the doctor ordered.

I do think that the 39 and 39B have the same cut-outs.



-Sven

portholes

I actually took a look at a photo of a 39B and realized that. If you want to take some measurements I'll draw them up. I'm going to do some of mine as well even though they are different and make a set with tempered glass flush with the surface rather than sunk in like stock.
John Gleadle