Screen Door

B

BRAZO

New member
We have a 2008 CD22 with the full window door. We love the door but need a solution to keep the air flowing thru the cabin at night. We've tried the snap on screening and that worked to keep out the bugs but it also made it very hard for us to get in and out of the cabin.

I'm thinking of making a screen door that would attach to the outside of the door frame and swing the opposite of the current door. I'd make the hinge so that it would be out of the way for the other door to close. Then we'd either have the windowed door closed or the screen door closed.

Has anyone attempted a screen door on the c-dory's with the full windowed door? Any other ideas/pictures that others have tried that worked out? Seems that all RV's have screen doors - not sure why boats don't - or at least our boat.

Thanks.
 
Robert-

Haven't seen a screen door, but why not?

Another idea would be to get an Endless Breeze Fan (by Fantastic Fans) and put it over your front v-berth hatch with a screened frame around it, or integrated into it. There are cheaper fans available, but that box fan would really fit the bill for the hatch.

I think it would be a lot cooler, and use negligible battery power. (1.18-2.58 amps, in three speeds/increments. Since it's a DC motor, you could add a variable resistor and have infinite speed control, and maybe negligible noise at very slow speeds.

Some folks don't like fan noise, but I sleep well with the "white noise' effect!

You could also use the fan in the cabin during the heat of the day.

(By the way, I love your cabin by the lake! What a labor of love for the gentleman who created it! A Real Jewel!)

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
I have seen a screen door made of sunbrella edge that snaps around the door frame with screening just inside of that. It opens with a large "C" shaped zipper attached to the sunbrella. It looked pretty useful. I cannot remember what boat it was on, maybe somebody else can remember it.
 
We have used the "Endless Breeze" 12 volt fan (and even use them in the big RV many nights). The zipper on the side of the screen works fine. You can also find roll out vertical and roll out horizontal screens made for larger boats--but work fine on the C Dory. The latter will have velcro as a seal on the sides.

Walmart sells a cheaper fan (about $12 last year) which runs on 12 volts or D batteries. It is not as good but works like the endless breeze.

The fans can be held on the outside of the foreward hatch, with 1/2" dowel rods, and electrical ties. (There are other ways of mounting).
 
Patti & Barry,

The screendoor you described sounds like mine (CC23 Katmai).

As you described, the door snaps around the edge of the door frame, but just inside the edge is a long zipper that goes down one side and along the bottom to make going in and out easier than undoing all the snaps.

Works like a charm.

Casey
 
We've lined much of the boat cabin with carpet - inexpensive stuff often used for headliners in cars. It was some what of a hassle to get proper fitting around windows & etc. A side benefit is that it holds Velcro "hook" really well. So my wife made screen doors for the center window, the port over the bunk, and the main door. Getting out in a hurry is kind of noisy, but it works well for us. I didn't like the fitting/ drilling/ & etc necessary for snaps. Since there little to them, they store in small places. She also made a lot of "pockets" that stick to the carpet w/ Velcro so that's where the small items like keys & stuff go. Lots of good storage that way.
Chuck
 
Just a thought-

What works for you will depend a lot on where you boat!

I can sleep on Lake Shasta with all windows and doors open (No bugs or mosquitoes out on the lake). If it's really hot, I'll turn on a fan, then turn it off later in the night, or in the early morning.

In Florida, full-blown refrigeration air conditioning may be necessary to deal with the heat during the day, and also during he night!

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
I was thinking maybe velcro on the top and light strength magnetic strips on the sides so maybe it works kind of like a doggy door. Maybe it will have to be weighted on the bottom. We use swinging fan mounted on a piece of teak near the berth entrance on the inside that swings into the opening and can be adjusted to blow either way. Just pulled power off the the same circut that feeds the berth lights. Most times we have it blow into the berth. We have air conditioning but most nights this fan works like a champ. Picture on page two picture 11 of our photo ablum. The fan is a little pricey but it is nicely made and folds out of the way. The fan has three speeds and shuts off automatically on different timed cycles. From Defender's 2011 catalog Sirocco Fan
12 VDC, White
3 Speed, Gimbaled

Item #: 901435
Manufacturer: Caframo
Model #: 807CA-WBX
Shipping Weight: 3.00 Lbs.
List Price: $99.99

Our Price: $94.99
Superior marine cabin comfort
Limitless positioning, the unique gimbaled design allows full 360 degree rotation
Stows flat and compact when not in use
Ultra low current, draws less than 0.4 amps
Battery saver timer shuts fan off in two hour increments.
If voltage drops below 10.5 volts fan, will not operate.
Quiet operation
Finger safe blade
3 speeds
Two year warranty
D.D.
 
Thanks for all the replies. I think the idea with the snap on zipper down the middle sounds just about perfect. Much better than my thoughts.

Joe: Thanks for the comment on our Cottage - we feel lucky to have bought it before someone bought it for a tear down. We've owned it for 10 years now and plan on selling our current house and retire to the 500 sq ft Cottage. Along with months long boat cruising and motor home living. We are just the keepers to the Cottage.
 
Back
Top