NFM Tri-Matrix portlights

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Richard McDonald

Richard McDonald

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Feb 14, 2004
70
Beneteau 423 Milwaukee, WI
As anyone installed the NFM Tri-Matrix portlights on their H37C? http://www.newfoundmetals.com/catalog/trimatrix1.html

Good or bad experience?

What is the cabinside thickness on the H37C?

I am looking at replacing all of my portlights. I know some have gone with NFM full stainless or bronze, but not sure I want to spend that much.

Richard
s/v Rhapsodie
H37C 1979
 
Ed Schenck

Ed Schenck

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Jun 2, 2004
5,802
Hunter 37-cutter, '79 41 23' 30"N 82 33' 20"W--------Huron, OH
Here is an install on an H33 Richard: http://hunter.sailboatowners.com/index.php?option=com_kb&Itemid=267&cat_id=28&page=article&aid=7378 . I was going to write that the cabin sides are 1"+. I think that post confirms that the H33 is the same. In my own installation in "Mods" I wrote that the plywood core was 7/8". Then add the thickness of the fiberglass both inside and outside. The problem is that the sides are not parallel. It is thinner at the top of the portlight than at the bottom. Personally I would not order them until I removed one 7x14 and one 5x12(thinner up front). There are three installations in "H37C Mods" that might provide some help. Sanders' is the most informative: http://hunter.sailboatowners.com/in...&cat_id=38&aid=7383&page=article&mn=37-cutter .
 
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Blaise

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Jan 22, 2008
359
Hunter 37-cutter Bradenton
I changed all of Midnight Suns ports and hatches with Lewmar aluminum ones in 1994. The large ports open out. All the hatches were drop in. (size wise) The large ports were smaller than the Grey ports so the holes had to be made smaller. A big job, but worth it. You can see a couple of my ports in the photos that Ed posted on the traveller thread.
 
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sandpiper10471

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May 31, 2007
776
Hunter 37 cutter Blind River
It would appear the Tri matrix do not require caulking. If they don't leak, then that makes this my #1 choice!!!!
 
Ed Schenck

Ed Schenck

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Jun 2, 2004
5,802
Hunter 37-cutter, '79 41 23' 30"N 82 33' 20"W--------Huron, OH
Its true that there is no mention of caulk. But I don't believe it.
 
BStevenson

BStevenson

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Jan 28, 2011
9
Hunter 30 Deltaville
I've had the Tri-matrix ports on my 78 H30 for about 5 years with no caulk and no problems. I have 5 of the 5x12 units. I don't remember exact hull thickness, I'd guess around 3/4" or so in the main salon and only 3/8" or so in the head area. The worst part of the install was cutting the bolts to length for the thinner hull areas and buying longer ones for the thicker areas. If you go with the Tri-matrix, order the template/drilling guide which can be returned for a refund when done.
 
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Steve Dion

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Dec 2, 1999
15,184
Hunter Vision-36 Rio Vista, CA.
The NFM Trimax has a gasket built into the units, that is why they did not need caulking.
 
Steve W

Steve W

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Jun 2, 2004
217
Hunter 376 Oyster Bay, LI, NY
When I had my '81 H33 I also went the Tri-Matrix route and loved them. The installation was extremely easy and you could just about consider them "drop in" replacements for the old Bowmar ports. I replaced all the ports with the sole exception of the one port at the forward end of the cockpit. The installation is further made easy using the Hole Template they supply. You will need a Dremel or something to modify the drain but the supplied template makes that, plus drilling the new through hull mounting holes, a no-brainer.

As Steve D points out, they have a gasket built in to the port so no caulking is required - at all!
 
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