We are trying to decide what kind of companionway screen to buy or make. We've looked on the Internet at the different options available. The most common types seem to be the draped/weighted style, or the rigid frame style. We've tried the velcro style and didn't like it. We'd like to know what kinds of companionway screens are on other boats and if you like them. We were interested in the draped style -- easier on the budget, but it wasn't clear how you attach it. (boat is a C34 MkII with a dodger). Thanks, Ethan
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Tim Leighton
BUG SCREEN
Ethan: We have a C-400 and went with the weighted version for the companionway. If your (or spouse) are handy with a sewing machine, it should be a simple matter to custom make one yourself. As you are well aware, the bugs here on the Chesapeake can be brutal so the screen has saved us on any number of occasions! Good luck! Tim Leighton S/V "Magic" Norfolk
Ethan: We have a C-400 and went with the weighted version for the companionway. If your (or spouse) are handy with a sewing machine, it should be a simple matter to custom make one yourself. As you are well aware, the bugs here on the Chesapeake can be brutal so the screen has saved us on any number of occasions! Good luck! Tim Leighton S/V "Magic" Norfolk
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Chick Weiss
Another approach
Our C36MkII came with screens for the companionway that are like those in home windows (aluminum frame). They were made in 3 parts that are the identical shape (trapezoidal)as the 3 wooden slats of the companionway door. Just slip the 3 in screens place and they work great and take up little space. I don't know where they were made and never saw them advertised, unfortunately...but they are quite effective. Chick Weiss
Our C36MkII came with screens for the companionway that are like those in home windows (aluminum frame). They were made in 3 parts that are the identical shape (trapezoidal)as the 3 wooden slats of the companionway door. Just slip the 3 in screens place and they work great and take up little space. I don't know where they were made and never saw them advertised, unfortunately...but they are quite effective. Chick Weiss
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C-Mike
Screen
Just took ownership of a C350. No companionway screen. The dealer told me that I’m on my own. Did anyone with a 350 come up with a screen for the hatch way?
Just took ownership of a C350. No companionway screen. The dealer told me that I’m on my own. Did anyone with a 350 come up with a screen for the hatch way?
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Brad
Hatch screens
I went to the local lumber yard with a traced outline of my hatch boards from our Catalina 34. They made a set of framed screens that matched the outline of the hatch boards. I had them use a type of redwood which I then stained with a teak finish. ( I used Poplar on my last boat and it is a cheaper alternative and will hold up well.) I then coated the frames with Sikkens Cetol. Now we can use one hatch board and one screen or both screens. Total price was about 40 dollars. I store the screens in the hanging locker next to the nav station when not using them. Just make sure the screen material is decent quality so it doesn't rust if you are in salt water.
I went to the local lumber yard with a traced outline of my hatch boards from our Catalina 34. They made a set of framed screens that matched the outline of the hatch boards. I had them use a type of redwood which I then stained with a teak finish. ( I used Poplar on my last boat and it is a cheaper alternative and will hold up well.) I then coated the frames with Sikkens Cetol. Now we can use one hatch board and one screen or both screens. Total price was about 40 dollars. I store the screens in the hanging locker next to the nav station when not using them. Just make sure the screen material is decent quality so it doesn't rust if you are in salt water.
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Pete
Do-it-yourself bug screen
Hi, While reading Sail Magazine a year or so ago I noticed a novel companion way screen. It was made of a sreen the size of the opening with pockets sewn along the top and two sides (not the bottom, leave it a bit long.). The frame for the screen is make by connecting wooden 5/16 or 3/8 rods with the appropriate plastic tubing (the tubing pieces are about 6 to 8 inches long.) The top rod with the plastic tubing attached is sewn into the screen. The side rods are inserted into the pockets and into the tubes when in use. The bottom rod and tubes are assembled last and a bit excess screening on the bottom is wrapped around the dowel. This screen has enough felxability to fit snuggly in the slides for the hatch cover boards. One of the appealing things to me is that it disassembles and rolls up in roll that will quietly lay on a shelf in the stern birth. It even keeps the bugs out of my Catalina 34. If you have any questions, my email address is smithpe@madbbs.com
Hi, While reading Sail Magazine a year or so ago I noticed a novel companion way screen. It was made of a sreen the size of the opening with pockets sewn along the top and two sides (not the bottom, leave it a bit long.). The frame for the screen is make by connecting wooden 5/16 or 3/8 rods with the appropriate plastic tubing (the tubing pieces are about 6 to 8 inches long.) The top rod with the plastic tubing attached is sewn into the screen. The side rods are inserted into the pockets and into the tubes when in use. The bottom rod and tubes are assembled last and a bit excess screening on the bottom is wrapped around the dowel. This screen has enough felxability to fit snuggly in the slides for the hatch cover boards. One of the appealing things to me is that it disassembles and rolls up in roll that will quietly lay on a shelf in the stern birth. It even keeps the bugs out of my Catalina 34. If you have any questions, my email address is smithpe@madbbs.com
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Barbara
Canvas/Screen Combo
We have a 350 and the dealer added a neat companionway cover. I think he had a local canvas shop make it. It's actually 2 separate layers that snap together. The underneath layer is screen material (the kind they use for screening in cockpits) and the top layer is canvas. You can use them separately or together. It snaps across the top of the sliding part of the hatch and also along the sides and bottom of the companionway (on the outside). There's a small zipper near the bottom so you can access the snaps even when you're inside. When you want to get in and out, it's simple to flip it up over the top of the hatch. It's nice having the canvas, too, because if the AC is on, it provides some degree of insulation without having to use the hatchboards. I'm not sure of the cost, since it was included in the purchase price of the boat, but it seems like a fairly simple solution if you want to make one or get one made. It sounds like there are a lot of possibilities and a lot of it depends on your personal preferences...
We have a 350 and the dealer added a neat companionway cover. I think he had a local canvas shop make it. It's actually 2 separate layers that snap together. The underneath layer is screen material (the kind they use for screening in cockpits) and the top layer is canvas. You can use them separately or together. It snaps across the top of the sliding part of the hatch and also along the sides and bottom of the companionway (on the outside). There's a small zipper near the bottom so you can access the snaps even when you're inside. When you want to get in and out, it's simple to flip it up over the top of the hatch. It's nice having the canvas, too, because if the AC is on, it provides some degree of insulation without having to use the hatchboards. I'm not sure of the cost, since it was included in the purchase price of the boat, but it seems like a fairly simple solution if you want to make one or get one made. It sounds like there are a lot of possibilities and a lot of it depends on your personal preferences...
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Jack
Canvas Companionway Covers
Barbara, Your companionway covers sound very nice. We also have a C350 and would like to do what you did for the companionway cover. Can you post pictures of the cover and its snaps? Thank you, Jack s/v Friendship C350, #80
Barbara, Your companionway covers sound very nice. We also have a C350 and would like to do what you did for the companionway cover. Can you post pictures of the cover and its snaps? Thank you, Jack s/v Friendship C350, #80
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Barbara
Canvas/Screen Pictures
I can, but not right away. We're leaving on a 2 week cruise to the Keys this weekend and are trying to take care of last minute packing and provisioning. If you want to know sooner, you could try contacting the dealer, which was Dunbar Yacht Sales in St. Simon's Island, GA. They might have pictures, a price, or other details. Otherwise, remind me in early June and I'll send you some pix.
I can, but not right away. We're leaving on a 2 week cruise to the Keys this weekend and are trying to take care of last minute packing and provisioning. If you want to know sooner, you could try contacting the dealer, which was Dunbar Yacht Sales in St. Simon's Island, GA. They might have pictures, a price, or other details. Otherwise, remind me in early June and I'll send you some pix.
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