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Date: 26 August 2021. Screen Solution (newest version)

© janice142
 

Screens are a necessity in areas with mosquitoes, biting flies and even bats. They work to keep out bugs which is important. I've previously written pieces about screens aboard Seaweed. Two of those are Screening My Hatch (eBay advice) and Screen Update. However, like all things boat, changes needed to occur. Here is the latest improvement in the battle of screening  my boat on a budget.
 

Screens also prevent night herons from coming inside the boat. Here is my Buddy, waiting for more hotdogs.

Shortly after this photograph was taken Buddy walked right in.
He made himself at home until I got out a bowl of pre-cut hotdogs.


In the article Screening My Hatch (eBay advice) I told about buying inexpensive screen from a China-based seller on eBay. Recently I purchased more. My initial choice was white screening material. For the galley and pilothouse doors however, I wanted black.
 

This is the package that arrived at my post office box. The cost was about $2.50.


Please note this is not screen such as you would see in a house. It is a mesh fabric, lightweight and will deteriorate in the sunlight. I get a couple years of use from each one. Because the cost is so low ($2.50 per package) and replacement of the fabric is so easy, I am quite content with the value received at this price. My screens are small. I have a lot of material leftover.


The Velcro included in my kit is 1/4" (6mm) wide. It is scratchy, and that enables the screening fabric to be caught and held in place. Installation was simple. I slowly stuck the Velcro portion on the doorframe. Pulling off the backing paper and placing it was effortless. I had no issues.


Velcro is a brand. The word Velcro is often referred as the name of the product, much like Kleenex is used to refer to the tissue paper we use to blow our noses. I am certain what I received from my inexpensive eBay purchase was not the real Velcro though it works and looks similar.
 


It was easy to attach the *Velcro to the doorframe. I simply pulled off the backing and
 placed it where I wanted. Moving the material a second time to straighten was painless too.

*Velcro is actually the brand name of hook and loop. The loop part is soft. The hook side was included in my screen kit. It hooks or catches the fabric netting.
 

I had no issues adhering the stuff to the varnished teak.
 

Everything was fine for a few months. Then, the hook
portion began PULLING AWAY   from the wood door frame.


 

Memory Lane: Friends may note a clothes pin at the top of the door frame on a black line. I have a thing against hanging damp laundry outside to dry. When I was a little girl on our 40'er, many folks traveling were sailors. Mother HATED (truly abhorred!!!) the sailors who draped their clothes over the lifelines. Those that "ran their *skivvies up the halyards" to dry in the breeze would make her bonkers. She was adamant that we dry everything inside, and I've kept up the same practice.

*skivvies are a term for underwear or panties.
 

And so, though many disagree, I am careful that all of my laundry including sheets, towels and undies have a place to dry inside Seaweed. I do realize that nowadays (and even back then among some) hanging items outside is fine. It is just not for me.



Previously I have utilized brass brads (small nails) to secure the Velcro which holds the screen. At the side of my doorway there was no way to easily hammer in a brad. Plus, the length of the nail was more than the thickness of the teak.
 

 

I needed a shorter penetration than the
3/4" long BRASS BRAD used for my hatch.


Thus I pulled out one of my most utilized containers of screws. That is the bottle of small #4's, 3/8" long screws.
A dozen years ago I purchased 100 of these 3/8" long stainless screws.

#4 is the diameter of the screw
(approximately 1/16 (1.6mm) of an inch wide)

My #4's are in an old aspirin bottle like this one.

Please note the red nail polish that shows where
 the cap and bottle need to line up for easy opening.

 

I am still utilizing the #4's for items that do not require a lot of holding power. The Velcro for my screen merely needed to be held in place. A little screw is the ideal solution.

 


Though initially I thought I had "the" solution to screening, over the years I've changed things a few times. Making adjustments, and figuring new ways of doing things is normal in boat life. Progress is made.
 

Those unwilling to alter their way of doing things are destined to live in the past. It is a familiar place, one I am quite content to enjoy. For me however, it is equally fun to learn and change. Sometimes that happens because of necessity, like when mosquitoes are coming inside because my screen is not well secured!
 

Switching from brads to these small screws is an improvement in my boat life.
The screen stays put protecting me from those monsters with teeth, aka mosquitoes.


For people who abhor change, the constant evolution of what is perceived best can become a problem. Those on a single one-track plan can become frustrated. Frequently I need to remind myself of the importance of being willing to adapt.


As for you and yours, I wish you happy boating without biting insects. Thank you for reading.


Do you utilize something other than "normal" screen for your windows?
And have you added screen to your cockpit, flybridge, etc.?
 

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