Screen alternatives for opening ports?

[rachelmackenzie]

We have a 1995 Hunter 336 and the port screens on the side of the boat don't work anymore--gaps at the edges are big enough for mosquitos to come in. I am hesitant to buy more screens at $50 each (if I can find them), especially when I'm not sure they will work (we have some in relatively good condition and still have the gaps). Has anyone come up with an alternative to the screens that go in the rubber seal? I am thinking of velcro and a screen 'bag' but that will have to go around the whole port area on the inside since the ports open in. We have the over-the-hatch screens for the opening hatches; I wish there was something like that for ports!

 

[Sailvayu]

Could you get some rubber weather stripping to attach to the screens you have to fill the gaps? Seems easier than a full replacement.

 

[seadaddler]

lewmar came put with new better screens
but they fit on my 07 h 36 and sure what ports you have

 

[Phil Herring]

The newer Lewmar design is better -- not perfect, but better. They're less likely to pop out and they fit better. We also started carrying this screen which is pretty clever. There's a 10x14 size designed for ports:

http://shop.hunterowners.com/prod.php?54147

 

[Ian McGain]

If the frames for your screens are in good shape-take them home and pull off the screen and scrape the entire frame. Purchase some good quality screen at Home Depot/Lowes Ace hardware store. Lay the frame screen side up on a piece of plywood. Pull screen over frame and staple in place to create tension on all sides. Coat the frame with good coat of glue. Let dry and cut the frame out with a utility knife with brand new blade. Repeat on other screens as needed. Takes about 15 minutes per screen. Take back to boat and install.

 

[rachelmackenzie]

The suction cup screens look awesome! Our ports open in, though. I don't know if it would work with the screen on the outside? I have thought of weather stripping but I'm not sure if it would make them too tricky to install?

 

[seadaddler]

Lewmar

Lewmar makes side port screens that are black and are a perfect fit and work real well and easy to install.
I called Lewmar and they gave me the # and got them from defender,just not sure they are the same size I have and will look and see if I have the info some
place.
Nick

 

[rachelmackenzie]

Re: Lewmar

Thanks Nick, that would be great! I love all the ideas you get when you post on this forum!

 

[seadaddler]

Screens

Here are some photo's of my side port windows
that open inward.
I got them from defender and if anyone needs them
i will look for the part #.
Nick

 

[rachelmackenzie]

Re: Screens

Hi Nick, I am not sure if our screens are the same size? The ones I have from the boat are 15"x7 5/8" from one edge of the plastic to the other. They are split down the middle. Our boat is much older than yours. Perhaps that's why the screen doesn't fit as snug as it should? One of the more recent owners bought at least one new(er) screen. It looks like you have NO gap around your screens. The screens just push in along the rubber strip, right? How I hate mosquitos! Two young kids on-board makes it even worse.

 

[seadaddler]

Screen

The old screens were silver or gray and had a middle strip of plastic and yes
they fit into the black rubber all around the window but these are easy to
put into the window and not a real pain like the old ones.
i will measure them tomorrow.
Nick

 

[Phil Herring]

We have the new Lewmar screens too as well as other parts for their ports, just in case you've given Defender enough money this month.

http://shop.hunterowners.com/lewmar_ports.php

 

[robertsapp]

Rachel, Nick on Seadaddler has the Lewmar New Standard ports, your 336 has the Old Standard ports. I'm not completely sure whether the screens for the New Standard will fit the Old Standard. Maybe.

On a related note, the 1997 376 we just bought has a LOT of Lewmar opening ports (Old Standard), all of which came with screens (all in a bag the seller provided), but I have no idea how to use them. Are you supposed to fit the little tabs around the edges of the screens between the port seal and the frame? And if so, can you leave the screen in when you close the port, or does it have to come out? I'm so leery of doing anything that messes with those seals, because those Lewmar ports are so hard to keep leak-free.

 

[rachelmackenzie]

Hi Robert, Congratulations on the new boat! Wow! You have the gist of the screens exactly. I do not like the system at all. But, maybe ours are worn out. A few of our screens have tabs that are broken off and the whole thing is quite flimsy. We have found it easier to put the screens in from the outside. We are unable to keep the screen in when we close the port. They are tricky to take out without bending. The problem we have is that there isn't a tight seal between the screen and rubber. Old boats! I recently read about someone who put a small velcro strip on the outside of the boat and attached screens outside. With that system the ports could stay open. Not sure how it would look....

 

[seadaddler]

Sorry

My screens are 15 1/2 x 5 1/4
I had called Lewmar and they had told me about the newer screens
so maybe they are also making for the older ones too.
Yes the old ones I had were a pain and still use 2 of them and 2 newer ones
not cheap but the my old ones were best fitted with one person inside and one person outside working together and yes I was able to leave them in and still close the windows and no way I would take them off every time to close the windows.
I mostly leave them in 24/7 and here in Florida we need screens as soon as sunset comes and same thing when I lived in NY.
Nick