Frequently Asked Questions

Our ports are named by the nominal glass size (i.e. the 5×12 port has a nominal glass of 5″x12″). A simple way to determine the port you need is to measure the outside dimension (overall length and height). Now look at our overall size to find a port that matches that size or one that is slightly larger. For example, a common plastic port has an overall dimension of 14 ¾” x 7 ¾”. Looking at our ports you will find that the overall size of the 5×12 port is 15″ x 8″ which will make the proper replacement. When you pull your old port, you may find that cut outs vary considerably. You can remove cabin side material where necessary and fill gaps with caulk when the cut out is a bit oversize. Remember, our ports bolt through so a variance in cut out size will not matter to the structural integrity of the installation.

The overall size is the measurement from extreme edge to extreme edge on the port. For example, the 5 X12 port has an overall size of 8 X 15.

The cut out range is the minimum and maximum cut out size that any given port will fit in. For example, our 5×12 Port has a minimum cut out size of 5 ½ by 12 ½ and a maximum cut out size of 6 ½ by 14 inches.

Bolt through construction means that the port and the finishing ring bolt to each other, thereby sandwiching the cabin wall in-between the finishing ring and the body of the port. This means that the structure of the port does not rely on “screwing and gluing” the port into the cutout.

The spigot is the stamped sleeve that has drains at the bottom and is perpendicularly attached to the main frame. The spigot passes through the cabin wall’s cutout and also the finishing ring. The Standard spigot will sandwich a maximum cabin side thickness of 1-1/2″. We recommend having a small amount of spigot protruding past the finishing ring so that water drains away from the port without wicking back towards the cutout. To calculate how much spigot will protrude, subtract the total cabin side from the length of the spigot (i.e. 1-1/2″ spigot minus 1″ cabin side = about 1/2″ of spigot protruding past the finishing ring).

The Extended Spigot will sandwich a maximum cabin side of 2″ and this size will fit most thick-walled boats. Longer spigots may be custom ordered.

No, it isn’t. From an engineering standpoint, it makes no difference if the screws do not go through the cabin side. There is still plenty of surface area for clamping. You just need to be sure that you use a generous amount of caulking in this case.

Bolt length measured from the bottom side of the head (flat side) and is related to cabin side thickness plus the thickness of the main frame. For example, if your cabin thickness is 1 inch, the fastener would be 1 inch plus the port window frame thickness (0.200 inch), so you cut the bolt to 1.200~1.300 inches (not below 1.200 inches). Three threads will give you 100% of the working load of the fastener.

We have designed the port to be a replacement port that would be easy to install, and cover most of the common sizes. The added benefit of the port fitting a large range of cut out sizes is that the inner flange and outer finishing ring on the port will usually cover any mess you might have made taking the old port out.

On the other end of the port wrench is a 6mm hex head. Insert the hex head in the top of the cam dog shaft. Turn the wrench Clockwise this moves the cam dog down putting more pressure on the gasket. Turning the wrench Counter Clockwise. This brings the cam dog up putting less pressure on the gasket.

Use our 17mm open end wrench to adjust the loading/pressure. Clockwise will move the top of the gasket away from the seating surface. Moving the hinge nut Counter Clockwise presses the top of the gasket closer to the seating surface.

Turn the 17mm nuts on the hinges until there is no gap on the top seating surface. You can see this by directly looking down from the top seating surface. There should be no daylight between the gasket and the seating surface. You will know when you have applied the right pressure to the top hinges when the bottom of the gasket (near the cam dogs) has a gap of 1/8 ~ 1/4 of an inch between the gasket and the seating surface.

There can be a couple of things at play here. One is that the port may not have been bedded correctly, or an improper caulk may have been used. The other possibility is that the hinges or closing dogs have not been properly adjusted for seal against the glass frame.

Yes, you can pick up a small tube of black urethane to fix this problem. To do this, open the port and bend back the gasket. Stick the nozzle of the tube between the gasket and the glass and squeeze a bead of urethane all the way around the gasket. Don’t put in so much that it squeezes out. If that does happen anyway, wait until it dries completely, then use a razor to cut and remove the excess.

Returns and Exchanges are to be made within 10 days of receipt of item. Goods for return must be returned in original packaging and saleable condition.  Goods returned without New Found Metals authorization may be refused for credit or exchange.  There is a minimum restocking fee of 10%. No returns after 30 days. No returns on special orders.  New Found Metals prefers that leased templates be returned within 90 days.