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.
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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. |
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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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