Home made Bug Screens
I fabricated a screen for my 28.5 to use over the top and down the front of the companionway for maximum air in hot summer evenings. I started with some fabric insect screening from a camping store, sized 5-6 inches wider than the frame width of the companionway sliding hatch, with a length equal to the length of the horizontal and vertical companionway plus about 6 inches. I then sewed an edge band of material called 'flag edging'or 'flag bunting' whiich is about 3" wide to the entire perimeter of the screening. I folded the top or forward edge over a 4'x 1/2" diameter bungee cord with nylon hook ends, and stitched the flag edging back to it's original seam on the screen. The bungee cord can slide or stretch within the edging but can't come out. Next, I sewed galvanized chain into the remaining three sides to provide continuous weight to the edge of the screen, heming the flag edging over the chain and back to the original seam on the screen.I attach the bungee cord to the grab rails near the front of the companionway opening and place the chain weighted edges out to the sides and down the vertical aft facing edges of the companionway. It stays put, keeps the buggs out and is easily lifted and repositioned when you go in or out of the boat. It stores easily in folds with the bungee cord wrapped around it.