323 with opening ports

[Alma]

This 323 came from the factory with opening ports instead of the windows we have in the salon.

I think it looks sharp. Opening ports in the salon would be fantastic.

[selene]

Tough to retrofit - wrong shape and size.  But they certainly look very nice.  I wonder what hull she is?

[Dolce_Vita]

Opening main ports would be nice, but those look a lot smaller than the standard fixed ports.
Either they were done as a special order at the factory, or somebody did a lot of
fiberglass work to reduce the opening sizes in the cabinhouse and liner.

Also, there seemes to be something strange about the trailing edge of the mast.
Behund-the-mast roller furling main?

Alma, where did you get that picture?  I notice that it has a Maryland registration
number, and I wonder if she's anywhere close to me?

[Alma]

I don't remember where I got it- it was a boat for sale a few years ago. It was an original special order. Simple enough to do before the holes were cut for the lousy windows we have in our cabins. I've had mine out and re-did the cutouts. My cutouts were so tight that I had to slip the frame down into the bottom of the cutout into a relief in the extruded frame to extract the windows. Maybe ALMA was made on a Monday! At least the holes didn't dip below the flanges. I've seen THAT on production boats before... Using various shims made from matchsticks I filled the uneven gaps between the cabin and interior hull liner with thickened West Epoxy. This created a uniform and compression resistant base for the re-install of the windows. Remember the windows are held by the inside frames in a clamping action. YUK.

I replaced the gaskets 12 years ago and had the frames painted at a auto restoration shop. The owner of that shop is a great master of restorations both auto and marine. In fact he used to own Pearson 28 HULL #1!  Anyway last weekend the starboard front window started leaking again and I started dreaming of this special 323.

I know the hassle of retrofitting opening ports AND THE EXPENSE.

But- Our exterior Bandit Stripe would hide fiberglass replacement on the outside of the cabin (when repainted) AND something else on the interior side- paint, or sheet goods could hide the 'glass work inside-

Feast your eyes on this-

[Dolce_Vita]

I really love Newfoundmetals' products.  I spent some time talking to the rep at the Annapolis boat show.
One of the many nice things about their stainless ports is that they use tempered glass instead of acrylic.
No more crazing or fogging.

Someday...

[Rusty Pelican]

I think all P323 owners dream of replacing those crappy portlights.