Saturday, May 15, 2010

Hatch and Companionway Mosquito Screens






Hatch and companionway screens are a little more difficult to set a price on. Lets say that a hatch screen will run at about 30 Euros and Companionway Screens about 90 Euros. That's just a rough estimate to give a general idea. You can take your measurements yourself just for the pricing, and then if you like the price I will come and take more accurate measurements to ensure the right fit.
The Hatch screens do require snaps to be screwed into the frame around the hatch, usually takes about 8 snaps per screen. The screens can either be removed and put away when not in use or they can roll up to one end and held in place with velcro. Measurements needed should be outer edge length and width of the frame to which the snaps will be screwed.
The Companionway Screens are made to overlap the outside edges of the opening, and the weighted rigid batten holds the screen down on the top and then it hangs over the edge and again a weighted batten at the bottom causes the screen to hang straight down. A couple of short straps with snaps attached hold the top edge to the sliding hatch cover.
The measurements needed are width of opening, length from pushed back hatch to edge/corner of opening and the drop from the corner to the outside floor.
I'll work on a diagram which I can scan into this page to show more accurately how to measure.

Mosquito Screens for Boats







This Blogsite is a vehicle I am using to post photographs and information about products I am manufacturing on my travels around the world.



My company, Boat-Tex Manufacturing was formed in Canada a few years ago when I still lived on land in Vancouver, British Columbia. For many years prior to that (about 25 years actually) I owned a different company manufacturing fine clothing for women. The skills I developed designing a fashionable line of clothes have also become valuable in designing useful items for boats.



So for the past 5 years I have produced most things made of textiles to do with boats, hence the name Boat-Tex.



Since my husband Tony and I left Vancouver in September 2008 on our way around the world we have not stopped for very long anywhere, but long enough for me to do a few sail repairs, make canvas products, re-upholster interiors etc.



As we have mostly been travelling in summer climate we have been fighting off an enemy common to most countries in the summer months - MOSQUITOS. I must have special blood which mosquitos love more than any other because they bite me mercilessly.



The mosquito screens which I have designed for our boat's portholes (windows) are not my first attempt. These are in fact the 3rd attempt to keep my enemy from drinking my blood, but these are really good.



I know that this time I've cracked it. Once made to fit the porthole this screen can be popped in or out when needed. With some portholes I can make them sit in the outside of the opening and they can be left in place when the porthole is closed.



The materials used are all marine grade, water, salt, sun resistant and with care should last a long time. They can be easily washed just by running them under the tap, which will remove any dust sitting in them, and then just patted dry.



They won't rust, and no holes or glues or velcro need to be attached to your portholes to fit them. They just pop in place.



Maybe I'll call them POP-IN PEST PREVENTERS. No, that's too corny, I'll just call them Mosquito Screens for Boats. I make them on-board the boat they are for, as they must fit exactly, and they cost about 70 Euros for a set of 4. Of course you can have more if you wish.



We are currently spending time in Malta. Having arrived here in September last year we've decided to use Malta as our base in the Meditteranean while we work. And we are here for the summer, so I've got all of my screens installed.k






Hatch and Companionway screens are also available; these do require snaps to hold them in place, but with stainless steel snaps corrosion is not a problem and when the screens are rolled back out of the way the screw in part of the snap which remains is not ugly.