Commander #65 "Lucky Dawg"

[Lucky Dawg]

Newfoundmetals portlights going in. No more freakin' leaks. Small mod to the current openings to accommodate the 5x15 ellipses. http://www.newfoundmetals.com/portli...nless-standard In a perfect world, they would manufacture a Commander match, (they make a 5x12 oval that would be perfect... if it was 3" longer. Regardless, I am really pleased with these masterpieces of sturdy, stainless beauty!

The heavy duty template makes it a cake walk to drill precisely and cut perfect openings. Itching to install, but I am epifanes-ing the teak spacers, so it will be in the next week or two to show the final product.

p.s. I have 4 (so that is two complete sets of) intact window frames and two (double paned / sandwiched 1/8" glass windows available. 3 of my frames were already patched together - badly - and one more broke upon removal.

[C38]

While I love the look of the original pearson portlights, I gotta say, those are gonna look great. Really interested to see how those change the profile from the outside.

I had thought about installing these same portlights a few years ago on my commander, but never pulled the trigger. Goodluck with the install, can't wait to see the finished product!

[Lucky Dawg]

Finished this cover today. I used the same design as A414 - cleat and stainless cabinet hardware holding on the center piece. I fiddled with a couple different looks for the anchor, but couldn't make one I liked more than Mike's.

I've been watching some videos (e.g. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zN-9vCSJWDQ) on wet sanding the final coat with 1500 / 2000 grit, but I think I'm probably going to just leave it as it is. 9 coats of Epifanes and it is about 99% perfect.

Made from a piece of 1/2" african mahogany plywood. Natural, it was way too light and didn't match my interior woodwork at all. I combined a couple colors of stain and after some experimenting, got a good match. (It looks a good bit lighter in this picture than it is.)

My windows are coming along. I'll post some pix soon.

[paulsproesser]

Very nice ! send me that template so I can save some time please!! I've wanted to do this also every since I saw mikes job. Just makes sense.

[Commander 147]

Newfoundmetals portlights going in. No more freakin' leaks. Small mod to the current openings to accommodate the 5x15 ellipses. http://www.newfoundmetals.com/portli...nless-standard In a perfect world, they would manufacture a Commander match, (they make a 5x12 oval that would be perfect... if it was 3" longer. Regardless, I am really pleased with these masterpieces of sturdy, stainless beauty!

The heavy duty template makes it a cake walk to drill precisely and cut perfect openings. Itching to install, but I am epifanes-ing the teak spacers, so it will be in the next week or two to show the final product.

Okay Kyle


I am 100% envious now of your new port lights!!!!! Those are going to add a major upgrade to your boats appearance. Not to mention the huge improvement in function.


I really wanted to do those on Destiny but when I though about all of the other work I still needed to do on her I decided not to do it. After all I really want to sail my boat and not just restore her!


Kudos Kyle, I can't wait to see them installed.

[Lucky Dawg]

Cover installed. Nice upgrade over body, er, sandbags in the forepeak.

Also, I have the cardboard and 1/8" luan templates for this piece if anyone wants 'em.

[Commander 147]

Very nice!

What I find amazing is how much time a project like this takes. But it not only looks good it also serves a useful purpose.

[elliotr]

Are the sand bags in the front for stability in waves? The previous owner of my aerial has put some very heavy cinder blocks in the v-birth and I've almost taken them out. If I take them out I assume the boat will bounce more in the waves.