Portlight screen replacements

Capt.Will

Active Member
Aug 15, 2016
148
Lake St. Clair
Boat Info
1997 Sea Ray 330 Sundancer
Engines
7.4 MPI Mercruiser Inboards
My vessel: 1997 330 Sundancer

Issue: original screens are toast. As most of you know the originals were glued in along with the seal/gasket. Bad design and cheap screen material.

Possible replacement options: My local Sea Ray dealer has a screen/gasket combo that they claim is the better option over original OEM idea and the cost is $60 ea. Ouch!

Ebay has a screen gasket combo for about $45 ea.

Has anyone installed either of these options on their vessel? Do they work, look good, etc? If so, should I take a chance on the Bay deal or go dealer cost?

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Before spending the long dollar on those I'd probably spend <$10 and try to make my own solution.

Enough material for every screen on your boat, and then some, for $6 plus shipping. Depending on how thick the gasket needs to be you could simply use some double sided tape or 3M foam to adhere it? Worth a shot?

I have been considering that option as well. The glue on the current seals sort of damage the material when removing it. I can see why SEA RAY used glue because two sided tape really would not create a solid seal between the screen and the frame of the portlight. I really like the current solution. Seems like it would be very solid and not as easy to kick out from the outside of the boat. Guess I looking to see if anyone has purchased these from Ebay or not and if the quality is good or not.
 
I had a boat neighbor buy some offbrand screens for his 400DA this past season. They didn't come anywhere close to fitting his 400. Based on my "throw nothing away" nature they ended up in my dock box. Just make sure you confirm all of the dimensions on the Ebay rigs before buying. Otherwise, nothing to lose..expect a few bucks!
 
I made my own screens with a roll of Big Box screen. Sun gets mine before an errant foot. I did buy the gaskets once, and now just reuse them. However, we almost never have the ports open, so glued in or pressed in doesn't make a difference to me. I have a stack of pre-cut screens for future use.
 
That is the best price so far. I assume you purchased from that site? Reliable?

Would love to know when you install them and see if they work to your liking.

Yes I ordered them from that site.

I just never got around to install them last year so I'll get to them at some point this off season.
 
Yes I ordered them from that site.

I just never got around to install them last year so I'll get to them at some point this off season.
I just ordered 4 and will install them this week. Will let you know. Hope they are rock solid. Thanks for the help. William
 
Yes I ordered them from that site.

I just never got around to install them last year so I'll get to them at some point this off season.


Received the order and installed them this week and......THEY FIT PERFECT!

Thanks again for the lead. Absolutely love them. If I have to replace the screen again, as long as the seal is not leaking I will just buy the screen insert.
 
When you removed the old seal how much glue/residue was left that needed to be cleaned before installing the new?
I replaced mine with the gasket/screen insert combo a few years back. My advice is do it on a warm day but NOT in direct sunlight. I did mine in July or August. The starboard side ones in the shade were easy. The adhesive came off with the gasket. The port side ones in the sun, yikes! Most of the adhesive stayed on the bezel. Lots of acetone & elbow grease to prep for the replacements.
 
I replaced mine with the gasket/screen insert combo a few years back. My advice is do it on a warm day but NOT in direct sunlight. I did mine in July or August. The starboard side ones in the shade were easy. The adhesive came off with the gasket. The port side ones in the sun, yikes! Most of the adhesive stayed on the bezel. Lots of acetone & elbow grease to prep for the replacements.

I agree. I removed mine when it was cold out and most of it removed with the old seal.
 

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