Bug screen for the side hatch

[Hudds Lad]

J would like me to make a mesh screen for our side hatch, to retain the breeze but foil the bugs advances (biting things find her irresistible).

 

I'm thinking a simple light wooden frame with some sort of mesh, just wondered if anyone had done similar and what sort of mesh they'd used and where acquired from?

[Quatre_Bougies]

I’ve been thinking about this.

 

I would just get some insect mesh, cut it in a square to go over said round or square windows. Hem it (or put tape along edges)and then just secure on the outside with four magnets, one on each corners.  Cheap and cheerful, can be taken off easily and washed at end of season.  Might not look exceptionally pretty but would do the job.

 

You could also get screen for standard doors and adjust to fit, entrances too.

 

If not worried about look. Just some old net curtains cut up would do the job too. Second hand, charity shop.

Edited August 1, 2024 by Quatre_Bougie

[Mike55]

We've got a retractable roller screen from https://www.cabincare.co.uk/

They're not cheap, but they are good. 

[Ex Brummie]

I bought a door mesh screen from The Range, and cut to overwidth and retained by small but strong neodymium(?) magnets fro ebay. I didnt bother with a frame because it is somwthing else that needsto be stored when not in use whereas mine rolls up small in a drawer.

[Hudds Lad]

28 minutes ago, Ex Brummie said:

I bought a door mesh screen from The Range, and cut to overwidth and retained by small but strong neodymium(?) magnets fro ebay. I didnt bother with a frame because it is somwthing else that needsto be stored when not in use whereas mine rolls up small in a drawer.

Could have a point there, we already have a perspex insert for it which gets in the way a bit and we never really use it  

 

Just need to persuade the boss now...

[blackrose]

I've never really understood why people use those mesh screens on their side hatches, while leaving the bow and stern doors (and windows) open without mesh screens? I see it sometimes and it seems daft to me.

 

Unless you're going to screen all openings then don't bother. Insects don't look for open side hatches rather than bow/stern doors or windows.

Edited August 1, 2024 by blackrose

[PeterF]

Wesley Marine Windows have just started selling some at a price, mesh with strip magnets.

https://www.wesleywindows.co.uk/fly-screen.html.

 

 

[Lily Rose]

21 minutes ago, blackrose said:

I've never really understood why people use those mesh screens on their side hatches, while leaving the bow and stern doors (and windows) open without mesh screens? I see it sometimes and it seems daft to me.

 

Unless you're going to screen all openings then don't bother. Insects don't look for open side hatches rather than bow/stern doors or windows.

 

Agreed. When I bought my boat it had a framed screen for the front doors but not the back doors or the side hatch. After a while I ditched it, partly because it was a pain in the ass to use but mainly because it seemed rather pointless given only one of the three openings was screened. Wasps and flies would come in the other openings and then eventually find the front door where they would stay forever scratching their heads trying to figure out why they couldn't get out into the fresh air they were detecting.

[Quatre_Bougies]

Well obviously, they only work if all means of access are covered.

[Mike Hurley]

A can of Raid is about 3 quid and more fun.

[blackrose]

1 hour ago, Quatre_Bougie said:

Well obviously, they only work if all means of access are covered.

 

You say it's obvious, but clearly not to the people on quite a few boats I see who only screen the side hatches. 

[Momac]

Alternative solution

 

[matty40s]

2 hours ago, Momac said:

Alternative solution

 

That has been my favourite toy for years now!!

 

This year, I have invested in proper.screens for side hatch and front doors. Not cheap, but well made and look good.

New blinds.co.uk

 

My Houdini hatches have homemade oak drop down screens to the inside, so we are pretty much fly secure now.

 

[LadyG]

I bought a tennis bat zapper  from Poundland, it was £1.99, not sure if they have them

 now.

[Hudds Lad]

14 hours ago, blackrose said:

I've never really understood why people use those mesh screens on their side hatches, while leaving the bow and stern doors (and windows) open without mesh screens? I see it sometimes and it seems daft to me.

 

Unless you're going to screen all openings then don't bother. Insects don't look for open side hatches rather than bow/stern doors or windows.

She wants one because the other night it was mafting on board and she couldn't sleep so opened the side hatch for some air (all our portholes are fixed glass and don't open) and woke up with bites, the front and back doors were closed for obvious reasons. In the day it would not be used.

 

Turns out in a storage box in the cellar we have a pair of fly screens bought years ago for some reason, so I'll find a way of fixing one of these instead of messing about with joinery.

[Ex Brummie]

These are similar to those I used, around 25mm diameter. Don't go too big as you'll never get them off .

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/204585692428?chn=ps&_ul=GB&var=505169807637&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-166974-033325-9&mkcid=2&mkscid=101&itemid=505169807637_204585692428&targetid=2275367127251&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9194217&poi=&campaignid=21473786529&mkgroupid=164156516559&rlsatarget=pla-2275367127251&abcId=9486590&merchantid=734154728&geoid=9194217&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwh7K1BhCZARIsAKOrVqGNLHKmcmFqzTvjCtTBN_YXrqSlOqOk9RhN57p_eCmGuhxnPab0UqAaAvfREALw_wcB