Portlights
Marine Portlights
Whether you are replacing a fogged portlight on a sailboat cabin or specifying new openings for a custom build, the right portlight controls light, ventilation, and water entry through the hull side or cabin trunk. At Marine Depot Direct, you will find Man Ship stainless steel marine portlights in elliptical, oval, rectangular, and round shapes, in fixed and opening configurations, with straight or angled spigot installation, H-trim options, storm covers, replacement screens, trim rings, and structural sealants. Man Ship Machinery and Hardware has been manufacturing marine chandlery and hardware for the international boatbuilding industry since 1982, and all portlights are backed by a five-year warranty against defective material and workmanship. Custom sizes are available on request, for replacement work where standard dimensions do not match the existing cutout or for new builds requiring non-standard openings.
Shop by Portlight Shape
Portlights are organized by shape because the cutout dimensions and visual character of each shape suit different cabin layouts and boat styles.
Round Portlights
Round portlights are the classic flush-mount option for cabin sides and bulkheads. Man Ship round portlights install with a straight spigot through the hull or cabin wall and finish with a stainless trim ring on the outside. Round portlights are stocked in standard sizes from 5 inches to 14 inches in diameter, in flush fixed, opening, and economy fixed configurations.
- Flush fixed round portlights from 5 inches to 14 inches in diameter
- Economy round fixed portlights in 5-inch through 8-inch sizes
- Straight spigot installation for cabin sides and bulkheads
Oval Portlights
Oval portlights add horizontal visual width to a cabin and are a common choice for sailboat hull sides where headroom is limited. Most Man Ship oval models in this category are economy opening portlights, which open inward on a hinged frame for ventilation while underway or at anchor.
- Economy opening oval portlights in sizes from 6 inches by 14 inches up to 8 inches by 18 inches
- Stainless steel construction throughout the frame and hinge mechanism
- Common sizes include 6x14, 7x14, 7x16, 7x18, 8x16, and 8x18
Rectangular Portlights
Rectangular portlights provide the largest light opening for a given cutout and are common on motor yachts, trawlers, and pilothouse cruisers. Man Ship rectangular models in this category include opening portlights with H-trim and integrated storm covers for extended offshore service.
- Rectangular portlights in larger sizes such as 12 inches by 24 inches
- Straight spigot or angled spigot with traditional trim ring or H-trim on the exterior
- Optional storm covers for offshore and bluewater applications
Elliptical Portlights
Elliptical portlights combine the visual softness of an oval with the proportions of a stretched rectangle. They are common on traditional cabin profiles and pilothouse boats where the shape complements the cabin trunk lines. Man Ship elliptical models include economy fixed, economy opening, and straight spigot configurations with H-trim.
- Elliptical economy fixed portlights with H-trim
- Elliptical economy opening portlights for ventilation
- Elliptical portlights with straight spigot and H-trim in 7-inch by 17-3/4-inch sizing
Fixed vs Opening Portlights
Choosing between fixed and opening portlights comes down to whether the location needs ventilation. Man Ship fixed portlights are sealed permanently and provide light without an opening mechanism. Man Ship opening portlights pivot on a hinge to allow airflow into the cabin.
- Fixed portlights: best for hull-side installations below the waterline freeboard, locations where opening would compromise watertightness, and decorative applications
- Opening portlights: best for cabin sides above the waterline freeboard, head and galley spaces that need active ventilation, and any location where airflow matters more than absolute watertightness
Spigot and Trim Options
The spigot is the cylindrical or rectangular sleeve that passes through the hull or cabin wall and connects the inner and outer trim rings. Spigot length must match the wall thickness at the installation location.
- Straight spigot: the standard configuration for most cabin walls and hull sides
- Angled spigot: allows for water drainage and is the configuration typically stocked for most Man Ship portlight models
- Traditional trim ring: the standard flat exterior trim ring for most portlight installations
- H-trim: a heavier exterior trim ring that adds visual depth and increased structural stiffness at the cutout
- Storm cover: a removable or fixed cover that bolts over the portlight for offshore and bluewater protection
- Trim rings stocked separately for replacement on existing portlights
Material and Construction
Man Ship portlights in this category are built in 316 stainless steel with corrosion-resistant finishes for marine service. Man Ship's skilled craftsmen precision-form each frame for clean spigot fit, and the gaskets are designed to compress evenly under the trim ring fasteners to maintain a watertight seal. Custom sizes are produced as one-off orders to match non-standard cutouts, and all Man Ship portlights are backed by a five-year warranty against defective material and workmanship.
- 316 stainless steel frames and trim rings for saltwater corrosion resistance
- Acrylic glazing in clear and smoked options depending on the model
- Replaceable gaskets for restoring the seal on older portlights without replacing the frame
- Structural sealants for bedding the spigot and trim against the cabin wall
- Custom sizes available as one-off orders for non-standard cutouts and new builds
Replacement Parts and Accessories
Portlight accessories cover the parts that wear over time and the components needed for retrofit installations. Replacement screens fit standard portlight openings, trim rings can be ordered separately for cosmetic replacement, and structural sealants are stocked for bedding the spigot at installation.
- Replacement portlight screens for opening models
- Stainless steel trim rings for cosmetic replacement on existing portlights
- Structural sealants for bedding the spigot and trim ring
- Modern trim rings sold separately from the portlight body for stylistic upgrades
- Replacement portlight gaskets for restoring watertight closure on existing frames
- Replacement portlight knobs for opening models
Sizing and Installation
Replacement portlight fitment depends on three dimensions: the existing cutout size, the cabin wall thickness at the installation point, and the spigot depth available on the new portlight. Cutout dimensions for replacement work are typically measured from the inside of the existing trim ring.
- Measure the existing cutout from the inside of the trim ring or flange
- Confirm cabin wall thickness so the spigot length matches the installation
- Bed the spigot and exterior trim with marine structural sealant
- Tighten the trim ring fasteners individually in a cross pattern as the bedding compresses
Man Ship custom sizes are available on request when the existing cutout falls between standard sizes, for full custom replacement work, or for new builds requiring non-standard openings. Contact us with your dimensions and our team will confirm availability.
Why Buy from Marine Depot Direct?
We stock Man Ship stainless steel marine portlights across elliptical, oval, rectangular, and round shapes in fixed and opening configurations, plus replacement screens, trim rings, gaskets, knobs, and structural sealants.
Man Ship has been manufacturing marine chandlery and hardware for the international boatbuilding industry since 1982, and every portlight is backed by a five-year warranty against defective material and workmanship. Custom sizes are available on request through Man Ship's one-off production capability, making it possible to match non-standard cutouts that fall outside standard dimensions.
Our team can confirm cutout dimensions, spigot length, and trim style against a photo or measurements of your existing installation before you order, which prevents the most common return reason on a replacement portlight: a unit that fits the cutout but not the cabin wall thickness.
Frequently Asked Questions About Portlights
What size portlight do I need for my boat?
For a replacement portlight, measure the existing cutout from the inside of the trim ring and match it to a standard size. For a new installation, work back from the cabin layout and the size of the wall section: a hull-side cabin generally takes a 6 to 8 inch round or 7x14 oval, while a pilothouse or motor yacht side wall can accommodate larger rectangular sizes such as 12x24. Man Ship custom sizes are available when standard dimensions do not match the existing cutout or when a new build requires a non-standard opening.
What is the difference between fixed and opening portlights?
Man Ship fixed portlights are sealed permanently and provide light only. Opening portlights pivot on a hinge to allow ventilation into the cabin. Use fixed portlights in hull-side locations where opening would compromise watertightness, and use opening portlights in head, galley, and cabin-side locations where airflow matters.
Can I replace just the trim ring on an existing portlight?
Yes, in most cases. Trim rings are stocked separately for cosmetic replacement when the portlight body and spigot are sound but the exterior trim is corroded or damaged. Confirm the bolt pattern and trim diameter against the existing trim before ordering, and re-bed the trim with marine structural sealant during reinstallation.
How do I install a portlight without leaks?
Bed both the spigot and the exterior trim ring with marine structural sealant before tightening the fasteners. Tighten the fasteners in a cross pattern in stages, allowing the bedding to compress evenly between each pass. Do not overtighten on the first pass; the bedding compound needs time to flow into voids around the cutout. Inspect the seal after a few weeks of service and re-tighten the fasteners if the bedding has settled further.