A Couple Questions about Screens and a HOT DEAL!!

J

JamesTXSD

Active member
First the questions: We are trying to make the screen on the forward hatch more user friendly; it takes four swivel latches to open or close it, and then the screen falls on the bed. Too much messing if someone needs to go through that hatch in a hurry to get to the bow. Has anyone put a couple hinges on the aft side of the screen and used the swivel latch on the forward side to hold it in place? If not, made a new screen with Velcro attachments? Any problem with condensation?

How about a screen for the center opening windshield window? WIth the latches and struts, how has anyone gone around those to keep the biting critters out?

OK, one more bonus question: How are you handling a screen for the main cabin door? Any good design for easy in and out?

Joan is also making a cover for the front hatch that we will snap in place like the King Canvas covers on the windows. Has anyone used that silver insulating foil stuff to keep out heat when their boat is stored? Any problem with that radiating back into the tinted hatch glass?

And now the hot deal: For those who use E-series Raymarine Chartplotters, the Navionics Platinum Charts have been cut in price by $200!!! (Yes, I've already bought a couple at the old, higher price. :cry: ) But, I need another card for the Keys, so this is a hot deal. I ordered mine from Consumers Marine Electronics out east; I've ordered from them before and found them to be competitive and knowledgable. :thup

Looks like Mother Nature is going to keep us here for another couple days before we can head north... to go east, to go back south again. Barely made it into the 40s here today - several schools were cancelled (due to the cold, not any nasty precip). No, they don't know what to do with this kind of weather; which is a good sign: means they hardly ever see it. In the meantime, this give us a chance to finish up the last couple projects for the boat.

Thanks in advance,
Jim B.
 
Jim... There is a screen that retracts like a window shade for hatches, but I think you have to buy a certain brand that has the track in it. A guy is installing one in one of the last issues of Passage Maker.

Also, previously discussed on the site, there are "screen kits" , flexible screen that you trim and hold over the window/doorway with velcro.

I feel the same as you about that screen over the forward bunk.

Also, for motorhomes, they make fuzzy 'pillows' that fit up into the hatches to act as insulators in the winter and sun blockers in the summer. They have velcro side stick things that don't work too well, but a light shock cord holds them OK.

John
 
Jim,

We use snap-on screens for the center window and forward hatch which were made by our local canvas guy. They provide a snug fit and when there are lots of tiny critters around, we give them a light shot of bug dope, as well as the slidng screens on the windows.

They work very well.

Nick
"Valkyrie"

Pictures are in our album.
 
Jim. For the forward hatch I purchased a product called R-Teck, Insulfoam. It is a product that is used for houses and has a silver finish on one side. Got it from one of the big box stores. Cut it to the dimensions of the hatch for a snug fit. Also made screen for the hatch and used velcro. Works great for us.
 
We have a horizontal "window shade" under the hatch. We have lived with the 4 little clips on several boats--and haven't found it too much of a problem--but don't seen any thing wrong with using a hinge.

We used the foil covers on the inside of RV's stuck up with velcro. The only problem we have had is that under high heat the adhesive comes off the velcro.

Our current plan is to use a sunbrella rimmed snap in place piece for the foreward hatch and for the door, using the snaps we use for the privacy covers. The center of the sunbella will have the bug screen sewn in place.
We also have a wind scoop (Breeze booster) which is free standing for the foreward hatch--but of course if it is too hot--we run the AC..Our habit in most boats is to keep the boat cool with AC until about 10 PM, turn off the AC and then a couple of hours later if we wake up and it is warm open the hatch and turn on the fans.
 
Joan has already stiched up a Sunbrella cover for the front hatch and a screen for the cabin door (since my post). She likes the match with the cabin windows. I've done the snaps on the hatch, and will use the same snaps that were installed for the door cover. Looking closer at the hatch, I think the silver insulation stuff should fit well and stay with the support of the struts underneath; we've used this in airplane cockpits previously and it is stiff enough to cut to fit and hold its shape. At least, that's the plan.

Tomorrow, I'll add some snaps to the long King Canvas window covers to eliminate the sag and pick up a couple small hinges for the hatch screen. A bit more packing, and when Mother Nature cuts some slack for our route, we are outta here.

Looking forward to putting some faces with names with the Florida C-Brats.

Best wishes,
JIm B.
 
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