Got Hooks????

[abcandjrc]

I got a bit of a surprise today since it was the first time I tried to use the ports on our R21-EC for some added ventillation. No hooks! One of those things you just don't note until you reach for the hook and don't find it. Not very useful that way as they immediately close as soon as you let go of them.

Adding to my dismay is that there have been so many questions about using the screens in the ports. Heck, ours close so well that maybe no-see-ums could slip by, but even mosquitoes would be stiffled and denied entry unless the boat is rocking.

Are those ports just decor, or do some of you actually have a way to hold them open? 😉

 

[rt11002003]

My 2009 R21EC had little hooks shaped like anchors. 😀

gene

 

[SlackwaterJack]

Mine are the same ....('05 R-21 classic, so they are in the v-berth), I've been toying with the idea of undoing the screws and turning the inside bezel by a quarter turn so they open horizontally. I don't think it will affect the seal when closed and that way they'll stay open. I think you can buy special hooks that attach to the overhead, but last time I looked they were pricey and then there would be a hook dangling from the V-berth overhead ready to catch on things.
I think round ports are installed to open upward more as a "convention" than as a neccessity.
In the meantime, I'll continue to use 4" pieces of dowel (ok...they're pencils) to prop mine open.('cuz I'm lazy)

On a previous boat (Hunter) I had rectangular ports that stayed up by hinge friction (in theory) but they lost their ability to stay up. I tightly wound dental floss (unwaxed...fresh mint flavor I think 🙂 ) into the gaps of the hinges and that solved the stay up problem (the ports were plastic though so the light weight may factor in). This makes me think though, that a combination of horizontal opening on wrapped hinges will allow the port to be opened and remain open without swinging.

On a related topic...are there supposed to be screens on my boat's sliding side windows ? or did the boat's Previous owner loose them.

 

[abcandjrc]

Thanks. Any boat we have owned had always had hooks there and I just assumed they would be there. Apparantly some are, some aren't. I'll try to find some hooks, since here in the deep south as much air as can be moved is always a bonus.

Gene: Those almost sound like aftermarket hooks. I believe I have seen exactly what you describe but cannot recall where. It appears that these ports would normally use a quite heavy, but rather conventional, hook. The hole is certainly large.

Slackwater Jack: We have screens for all the hatches but none for the side windows. Our boat was bought used, but the owners had been pretty careful to keep the equipment intact.

 

[RProffer]

On my 2010 R21-EC, the portlights above the refer and stove open vertically and have brass hooks (little anchors) on a chain in the ledge above the portlights. The portlights above the V-berth open horizontally and do not have hooks.

All my portlights have screens that are rusting and deteriorating. My side windows have screens as does the hatch above the V-berth. The overhead hatches came without screens. The Ranger website says screens should be included with the boat. I contacted my dealer who contacted Ranger and Ranger sent me new screens.

Trying to find the correct screens for your boat can be difficult because so much on the boat is custom built. I recommend you contact Andrew for new replacement screens.

 

[mlull]

I believe there are hooks for the rear cabin ports and none for the forward ports. Two solutions (at least): one is to cut two wooden dowels the proper length to prop the port windows up; or alternatively, unscrew but don't detach the hatch clamps on the port window to lengthen their reach and then rotate them toward the opening propping the port window open. The second works better because you don't have to keep track of the wooden props and it's harder to dislodge the hatch clamps...