aft curtain modification...

[CliffA]

this time of year we like to camp due to the cooler weather...since the insects are still around i have been thinking about ways to keep them at bay...i have the camper canvas for my 215EC which includes the front and side windows...i also have an aft curtain that is attached to a single bimini top with zippers and attached to the cockpit with snaps...the aft curtain is solid sunbrella fabric....we never use the aft curtain as it is now so i was thinking of modifying it to become an insect screen to use while camping...i was thinking that a canvas shop could put in a large screen panel in the rear of the curtain and smaller screen panels in the sides of the curtain...also a zipper could be added to the port corner of the curtain to allow access to and from the boat from the swim platform through the transom door while the curtain is installed...has anyone seen or done anything like this?...anyone think of a reason it would not work?...

 

[jason78]

Sounds completely do-able to me. The only down side I can think of is not being able to zip something to close off the screen if it gets cold or starts raining. On the standard camper canvas aft side panels, there are eisenglass pieces sewed in that zip over the screen for this reason, maybe you could do something like that.

On a somewhat related note, take a look at this thread and see how a friend of mine added a snap on screen for his cabin door. It is really nice, expecially this time of year.

http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/3189-Installed-a-Cockpit-Door-Screen-on-my-260DA

 

[Henry Boyd]

We had the window enlarged and replaced with screen and a zip out window last winter, works great!

 

[CliffA]

We had the window enlarged and replaced with screen and a zip out window last winter, works great!

do you happen to have a picture?

 

[CliffA]

Sounds completely do-able to me. The only down side I can think of is not being able to zip something to close off the screen if it gets cold or starts raining. On the standard camper canvas aft side panels, there are eisenglass pieces sewed in that zip over the screen for this reason, maybe you could do something like that.

On a somewhat related note, take a look at this thread and see how a friend of mine added a snap on screen for his cabin door. It is really nice, expecially this time of year.

http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/3189-Installed-a-Cockpit-Door-Screen-on-my-260DA

thanks Jason...that is a great idea too....the good thing about having the cockpit enclosed is the bugs that are attracted to the anchor light and the monitor screen would stay away from the cockpit...if we only screened the cabin we would still have to fight the bugs when we are watching movies or just hanging out in the cockpit listening to music or (heaven forbid) talking to each other....

 

[Henry Boyd]

do you happen to have a picture?

Here ya go

 

[CliffA]

Here ya go

very nice.....thanks...

 

[cherokeeguy]

You could also take your aft curtian to a canvas shop and have them use it as a template to create a entirly new panel of all screen, then you will have the screen option and the covered option and uses either one you need depending on conditions, i have complete panels with windows and privacy covers and complete panels that are all screen from the boat to the bimini and it is a very nice option, i can be covered and warm should i need it or i put in all the screen panels and it is as open as having nothing but nice and bug free.

 

[CliffA]

You could also take your aft curtian to a canvas shop and have them use it as a template to create a entirly new panel of all screen, then you will have the screen option and the covered option and uses either one you need depending on conditions, i have complete panels with windows and privacy covers and complete panels that are all screen from the boat to the bimini and it is a very nice option, i can be covered and warm should i need it or i put in all the screen panels and it is as open as having nothing but nice and bug free.

an even better idea!....thanks....that may require less labor and may actually be a lower cost option...it would also provide greater flexibility by keeping the solid curtain available if/when needed....

this is exactly how a good forum is supposed to work....getting various ideas from members and deciding which is the best option for your particular situation....if this progress i'll keep the forum updated...

 

[surfinjoe]

My factory camper package has two screens with isinglass sip-up panels. Works like a charm on those cool fall days (and during rain).