Installing an Access Port in 30 Minutes

A complete remake of our 1990 22-foot walkaround cuddy included a redesigned deck to remove the livewells and a new seating arrangement, removing of all wood and replacing with StarBoard components, installing a washdown system and docking lights, all new deck hardware, a full canvas top, replumbing cockpit scuppers and much more. This boat had two aft storage compartments accessed by threaded deckplates but these were so small they limited storage to shoe size items.

Conventional two-piece access ports (or deckplates) consist of a trim ring and threaded plate. Installation involves drilling screw holes, caulking with sealant and fastening, then the associated cleanup to remove the excess sealant.

In my “out with the old, in with the new” approach, I discovered Armstrong deckplates (www.armstrongnautical.com). These one-piece plates hold without any mechanical fasteners. Turning a T-handle tightens the screw clamp against the back of the mounting surface and compresses the heavy-duty watertight seal. Available in large diameters in black, white or ivory, I purchased 8" deckplates to replace the existing 4” ports, which was the maximum diameter that fit the existing space.

Installation was a four-step process and took about 30 minutes.
-By Jan Mundy