Hatch Shades

U

Uplate

New Member
Oct 13, 2008
977
Nashville, TN. Percy Priest Lake
Boat Info
1998 Sea Ray Sundancer 310
Westebeke 4KW Generator
Engines
Twin 5.7 Mercruiser Carbuerated.
Alpha 1 Drives
I have been looking into a solution for tempory blackout shades for the hatches when overnighting or hot days.

These seem to fit the bill, but have heard that they may break easily.

http://www.oceanair.co.uk/hatchshade.aspx

Has anybody used these or have alternate solutions that should be considered?

i have black canvas that will cover the hatches from the outside, but a total PITA to install.
 
I agree with you on the exterior covers. The PO of my boat gave them to me but he never bothered to install the snaps and I can't see myself climbing up front to put them on & off either. I was looking at a few of these from Defender:

http://search.defender.com/?expression=hatch+shades&x=9&y=4

They are having a Warehouse sale in a week and a half and I am hoping to score a deal on something then. I just would like to cover the hatch over my Fwd berth so that the kids will sleep a little later when we are at the beach.
 
How about cutting some of that 1/4" insulated plastic stuff that has silver foil on both sides? It's used for soundproofing and insulation. I think that would be a lot cheaper than the shades and let in a lot less heat than a black canvas cover.
 
Uplate said:
I have been looking into a solution for tempory blackout shades for the hatches when overnighting or hot days.

These seem to fit the bill, but have heard that they may break easily.

http://www.oceanair.co.uk/hatchshade.aspx

Has anybody used these or have alternate solutions that should be considered?

i have black canvas that will cover the hatches from the outside, but a total PITA to install.
Click to expand...

Mike
I have one and haven't had an issue. It also has a screen for when you want some fresh air.
 
Nehalennia said:
Mike
I have one and haven't had an issue. It also has a screen for when you want some fresh air.
Click to expand...

Todd. Assuming you screwed it into the cabin ceiling. How long of screw did you use. Sure would be nervous drilling those pilot holes!
 
Uplate said:
Todd. Assuming you screwed it into the cabin ceiling. How long of screw did you use. Sure would be nervous drilling those pilot holes!
Click to expand...

It was there when I bought it, but I have the boat home and can take a measurement tomorrow.
 
Do you have interior screens?

I have both white Stamoid and black Sunbrella pieces cut to the interior dimensions of the shades then just loosen the screen and slip the appropriate color shade in place and refasten the shade. Cost = $0.....I got the fabric scraps out of the dumpster at the canvas shop then cut them to fit.
 
fwebster said:
Do you have interior screens?

I have both white Stamoid and black Sunbrella pieces cut to the interior dimensions of the shades then just loosen the screen and slip the appropriate color shade in place and refasten the shade. Cost = $0.....I got the fabric scraps out of the dumpster at the canvas shop then cut them to fit.
Click to expand...

Great idea.
 
fwebster said:
Do you have interior screens?

I have both white Stamoid and black Sunbrella pieces cut to the interior dimensions of the shades then just loosen the screen and slip the appropriate color shade in place and refasten the shade. Cost = $0.....I got the fabric scraps out of the dumpster at the canvas shop then cut them to fit.
Click to expand...

That is the technique we came up with as well. As far as the exterior covers that match the canvas, ours do not snap, but have little corner pockets sewn in that go over the corners of the hatch. They stay on well as once I forgot to take them off and they were still there after a high speed road trip.

MM
 
I did the same as Frank but I used a piece of white coil stock from aluminum that was for gutters and overhangs for a house to fabricate mine. This has worked out great to slip into the screen frame and instant shade. However to store them when not in use and to put them in is simply but i wanted more so i have purchased the oceanair skyscreen for the hatches and love them. Shade and screen all in one little package!

Marty
St Clair Shores, MI
 
mboater95 said:
I did the same as Frank but I used a piece of white coil stock from aluminum that was for gutters and overhangs for a house to fabricate mine. This has worked out great to slip into the screen frame and instant shade. However to store them when not in use and to put them in is simply but i wanted more so i have purchased the oceanair skyscreen for the hatches and love them. Shade and screen all in one little package!

Marty
St Clair Shores, MI
Click to expand...


How was the install on them? I can't really find good info on their site.
 
tdschafer,

The install was easy, 4 s.s. screws hold it to the headliner and done. I reglazed most of my hatches so i knew how thick the deck is so i did not sweat when screwing into the roof! I was able to leave the existing finished ring that surrounds the taylor hatch on, the oceanair unit had about a 1/4 gap to the hatch so leaving the ring on allowed to sort of hide the gap because of the ring is white, leaving it off shows a large gap when in place and the oceanair is larger then the ring so it went right over it with no fuss.

Marty :smt038

St Clair Shores, MI
 
fwebster said:
Do you have interior screens?

I have both white Stamoid and black Sunbrella pieces cut to the interior dimensions of the shades then just loosen the screen and slip the appropriate color shade in place and refasten the shade. Cost = $0.....I got the fabric scraps out of the dumpster at the canvas shop then cut them to fit.
Click to expand...

Frank, that is a great idea. I do have the interior screens. So to open the hatches I have to remove the screens and then replace them after opening.

thanks for the tip. Less is more in this scenario.

Mike
 
if you wanted to add some 'R' value to the hatch shade you could use some rigid insulation board from HD or Lowes...the kind with foil on one side does a good job reflecting the sun's rays....you could cut a piece to match the size/shape of the hatch and use the hatch screen to hold it in place between the screen and the hatch....you may be able to attach a colored piece of fabric to the insulation board with spray adhesive to blend in with the cockpit headliner color...

cliff
 
mboater95 said:
tdschafer,

The install was easy, 4 s.s. screws hold it to the headliner and done. I reglazed most of my hatches so i knew how thick the deck is so i did not sweat when screwing into the roof! I was able to leave the existing finished ring that surrounds the taylor hatch on, the oceanair unit had about a 1/4 gap to the hatch so leaving the ring on allowed to sort of hide the gap because of the ring is white, leaving it off shows a large gap when in place and the oceanair is larger then the ring so it went right over it with no fuss.

Marty :smt038

St Clair Shores, MI
Click to expand...


Thanks Marty!
 
CliffA said:
if you wanted to add some 'R' value to the hatch shade you could use some rigid insulation board from HD or Lowes...the kind with foil on one side does a good job reflecting the sun's rays....you could cut a piece to match the size/shape of the hatch and use the hatch screen to hold it in place between the screen and the hatch....you may be able to attach a colored piece of fabric to the insulation board with spray adhesive to blend in with the cockpit headliner color...

cliff
Click to expand...

That is a pretty good idea Cliff. I have to get more of the headliner material to cover my Amp board that I will be installing in my aft port hanging locker. I rarely use the screens. Maybe I could make something with velcro dots to hold it in place to eliminate the screen removal step.
Sorry to the OP, I didn't mean to do any hijacking here.
 
I to have the hatch covers with corner pockets and a draw string to keep them tightly fixed. I ran a 1/2" piece of velcro around the parimeter of my entire hatch. My screens have the opposite side velcro sewn into the screen. Its quick easy and easy to store(just roll it up). No light in with the hatch closed/ no bugs in with the hatch open. Good luck with what ever you decide.
 
tdschafer said:
That is a pretty good idea Cliff. I have to get more of the headliner material to cover my Amp board that I will be installing in my aft port hanging locker. I rarely use the screens. Maybe I could make something with velcro dots to hold it in place to eliminate the screen removal step.
Sorry to the OP, I didn't mean to do any hijacking here.
Click to expand...


i used to own a 1991 Pontiac Firebird that had 'T' tops....during the summer here in the SE it can get brutally hot...the car was painted black which absorbed a lot of heat from the sun and although the T tops were tinted they still allowed the sun to really heat up the interior...i used the rigid insulation board to make a sun shade for the T tops with the foil side up...they worked very well in blocking out some of the sun's heat....

cliff
 
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