Which way should a portlight face?

[Tator]

I was visiting a friend's boat project today and noticed that the bronze rectangular portlights that he had re-installed on the trunk cabin swung outward with the dogs on the outside. I had never noticed this before on a boat and on my three previous boats, they had all swung inward with the dogs on the inside. He had commented on how they didn't seem to fit very well and when I pointed out my observation, he said that that was the way they had come off. It seemed odd to me that one would then have a unit that would stick out onto the narrow deck and that couldn't be opened or latched without going outside. Is this a normal practice?

Tator

 

[rslifkin]

I've only ever seen them swing inward.

 

[firehoser75]

Tator,
I think he installed them backwards. It does not make sense that the port would require going on deck to open and close!
I have never seen one installed in the manner described. No wonder he did not think they "fit" properly when installing.

 

[C lectric]

He installed them backwards. Just because they were that way when he removed them
does not mean they are correct.

 

[Comodave]

He installed them backwards. Just because they were that way when he removed them
does not mean they are correct.

+1. Someone in the past installed them incorrectly so when he did the replacement he should have turned them around. I would hate having to go outside if it started raining just to close and dog the port.

 

[C lectric]

Actually the way they are could in some instances be dangerous/deadly.
If they were not closed before starting a trip and it got rough then what. Going out on deck could get someone tossed off the boat or suffer harm from getting tossed.

Yes, worst case but stuff like that happens even if the port were not deliberately left open.

 

[PM]

A real security issue. "Honey, will you go out on the dock and lock down the port lights?"

pete

 

[koliver]

No going barefoot at night on that boat! I can just feel the pain of stubbing my toe on the dogs, in the dark! And if they were left open!!!
I have those bronze rectangular portlights on my fwd cabin. There is no way they should ever be put on inside out!
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