How to install a Tri-Matrix Portlight.
Step 1: Set Template
Clamp template over the cutout. (clamp template to the outside of the boat, do not drill holes from the inside of your boat).
The template is the optimal cutout size, but your cutout can be up to ½” larger and still be okay. It can not be smaller than the template.
Note: Template rentals available from New Found Metals with deposit.
Step 2: Drill Holes
The template’s drill guides for the bolt holes are 3/8″, but if this is too snug for the carriage head bolts to seat properly on the outside of the cabin, you may need to relieve the holes to 7/16″.
If you have a thin cabin side (less than 1/2″) you may not need to drill relief holes for the dog or upper hinge posts (see step 4 for details).
Step 3: Place Finish Ring
Tape carriage head fasteners to the finishing ring. Then tape the finishing ring to the cabin side to keep it in place.
Step 4: Counter Bore Relief Holes
If your cabin side is thick, the hinge posts (top) and dog posts (bottom) will protrude into the cabin. You will need to counter bore.
If it is thin (1/2” or less), you will not need to counter bore.
Counter bores available from NFM or through hardware suppliers.
Step 5: Counter Bore Post Holes
From the inside of boat, counter bore 4 post holes Use a 5/8” counter bore with 3/8” pilot.
Do not counter bore all the way through cabin side.
Counter bore formula: the difference between cabin side thickness and ½” is the counter bore depth. For example, if your cabin is 1” thick, the counter bore depth will be 1” – ½” = ½”. The deepest the counter bore hole will ever need to be is ¾” to 7/8”.
Step 6: Install Main Frame
Bolt main frame to the finishing ring. Use one hand to steady the frame as you set the initial bolts. Bolt length = cabin side + 5/16” (tolerance is + or – 1/16”).
Don’t worry about having to cut a bolt to an exact length – that’s why we have a tolerance. For example, ½” cabin side + 5/16” = 13/16” long bolt, + or – 1/16”
Step 7: Adjust Hinge Posts
Use wrench to adjust top hinges for cabin side thickness.
Tightening the posts will lift the bottom of the glass frame away from the sealing edge. You want a 3/16” to 3/8” gap along the bottom edge. This will ensure a proper seal.
Step 8: Set Cam Dog
If you are going to use a screen, set the cam dog so there is a 1/2” gap between the bottom of CAM DOG AND POST FLANGE (top picture).
If you are not using a screen, set the cam dog so there is ¼” to 3/8″gap (bottom picture).
Step 9: Adjusting Dog Posts
Use allen head on wrench to turn the entire dog post and cam until.
Step 10: Close Cam Dogs
Cam dog comes to rest on glass frame, closing it against the main frame. Now…
Step 11: Lock Dog Jam Nut
Tighten down jam nut on dog posts securely.
This will prevent posts from turning when later adjusting for pressure.
You now have cam posts adjusted for cabin side thickness. Finally…
Step 12: Adjust Cam Dog
Adjust cam dog for seal.
No need to over-tighten.
If you have a leak around the seal, make a ¼ turn counter-clockwise on the upper adjuster nut, followed by a ¼ turn on the cam dog cap head. This should give you a better seal.
Step 13: Installing Screen
Insert screen by starting the gasket at the top two corners.
While keeping pressure on the top of the screen, use a butter knife to guide the gasket along the sides, through the edge of the main frame. Keep pressure on each section as you guide it through until all the edges are in place.
Step 14: Re-Adjust Window for Pressure
With screen installed, the glass frame will not close down all the way…
Step 15: Re-Adjusting Top Hinges
Turn top hinge nuts clockwise to loosen. This will allow the bottom of the glass frame to fall closer to the sealing edge.
Step 16: Check Window Seal
You want a 3/16” to 3/8” gap along the bottom edge. This will ensure a proper seal.
Step 17: Re-Adjust Cam Dogs for Pressure
With screen installed, the cam dogs will not close over the glass frame…
Step 18: Re-Adjust Cam Dog
Loosen cam dog cap head so dog will close over glass frame. Then adjust cam dog for seal by tightening cam dog cap head.
Step 19: Finished Installation
A little talc powder when the gaskets are new will keep the gasket on the glass frame from sticking to the gasket on the screen.
