Chuck:
I enjoy reading about the ingenuity, genius and creativity offered by many of your readers. Learning how others fabricate, rebuild, redesign and turn discards into useful and durable boat stuff is amazing.
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Learning how others fabricate, rebuild, redesign and turn discards into useful and durable boat stuff is amazing. |
I am nearing completion of my 10-foot catboat design named “Old School”. Her small cabin needed two small portholes. If “Old School” is going to look traditional, she needs bronze or brass ports. I searched everywhere for small portholes. I went on EBay, visited the metal recyclers, plumbing supply stores, locksmiths, hardware stores and marine discount stores searching for anything that would do the job. I could purchase a sheet of bronze or brass and make them but that stuff costs a fortune.
| If “Old School” is going to look traditional, she needs bronze or brass ports. |
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During a visit to a thrift store I spotted a pair of solid bronze candle holders. The pair was priced at six dollars. I thought with a little creativity I might be able to use the bases of the candle holders as respectable portholes. I paid the six bucks, took the holders home to be studied and possibly sliced, drilled, ground and cut into something I could use on the catboat.
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I thought with a little creativity I might be able to use the bases of the candle holders as respectable portholes. |
I attached a few photos showing my prize portholes. A few brass bolts and a piece of Plexiglas and I’m in business.
| A few brass bolts and a piece of Plexiglas and I’m in business. |
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If any of your readers are searching for small portholes, tell them not to overlook the bronze candle holders at their neighborhood thrift store.
--Mike Gill
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