Porthole Screens

[DoveHunter]

Dear Fellow Sailors:

We have a 2013 Hunter 36 which comes with screens for the portholes. Is there any straightforward advice as to securing the screens. Your suggestions are appreciated.

B & B

 

[quadrille38]

If they are the original Lewmar screens that have a pitiful little tab that goes between the gasket and the frame the best way to secure them is to throw them right in the trash and order the replacement screens that are now available. The replacements have a different approach that has more of a locking clip approach. In the first year of owning our boat with the original screens they fell out every time you touched them, every time you closed the port, or even when the wind blew too hard. And worse yet, several times they flew overboard and they sink like a rock. I replaced them all and haven't had one fall out yet. I think they sell them here or on Defender




In fact I just looked and they do carry then on Hunter Owners site. Here is link. http://shop.hunterowners.com/lewmar_ports.php?52145

 

[seadaddler]

#

I have the Part # in my paper work and will look for them later today
But $$$$$$$$$$$.
I did use my screens for a long time and the trick is with them warm
in hot sun and 2 people inside and outside very slowly using your fingers
work them in and they did work for a long time until they got old and lost than I did get 2 new ones and they are much better but be careful with the new ones and with the new ones I leave them in all the time
Nick

 

[quadrille38]

I have the Part # in my paper work and will look for them later today But $$$$$$$$$$$. I did use my screens for a long time and the trick is with them warm in hot sun and 2 people inside and outside very slowly using your fingers work them in and they did work for a long time until they got old and lost than I did get 2 new ones and they are much better but be careful with the new ones and with the new ones I leave them in all the time Nick

Sounds like you had better luck than I did with them. I could not get them to stay in and I found that they distorted the gaskets sometimes causing the ports to leak.

They are expensive for sure (on this site they show at $49 a pop and slightly less on Defender) but at the rate the old ones were falling out and overboard they had taken on an almost disposable nature. I really wasn't kidding in previous post when I talked about the wind blowing one out. Gust came from behind and down the companionway, out popped the screen and overboard it went. They really do sink like rocks.

It's been six years since I replaced them all and they still are in place.

Honestly with Lewmars reputation for quality, they ought to be ashamed of the design of the screens they supply as original equipment.

 

[seadaddler]

Screens

I got 2 of the new screens a few years or more and they are so much better
for sure and should order 2 more soon.
Nick

 

[slr295]

T tie them to the boat with apiece of clear fishing line

 

[smacklin]

With the new style screens can you shut the lens with them installed --- or do you have to remove the screens to close the lens (old style).

 

[seadaddler]

Yes

Yes you close them with screens in place.
Nick

 

[Double Fun]

We have used ours "uninstalled" and place them against the frame from the inside when needed held in place by a short piece of cut tubing (fuel line) on each side held in place under the side clips for the port light. Has worked well.