Ocean Air screen hatch

[knotflying]

Has anyone installed them on an R-27? If so what model number did you use. I see that the R-25's are using the SFSS-40. The hatches may be the same as the R-25, but it looks like the ceiling configuration may be somewhat different on the R-27 from the R-25. It also seems that the overall width (outside to outside) is about 21-7/8" X 21-7/8" and would be too large to fit in the V-berth hatch area.

Any insight?

Thanks,

Mike Rizzo

 

[Boatdreamer]

Hi Mike: I installed one in the v-birth of Gratitude awhile back. I'll go to the boat this weekend and get the model number from ours for you. I do remember I had to buy an oversized one and cut the side tracks shorter to make it fit, but that was a very easy job to do. I can tell you this, you will love it! It keeps all the light and heat from coming in and when you use the screen, it's very fine and keeps all the bugs out. I' ll post back this weekend.

Tim and Donna
Gratitude

 

[knotflying]

Thanks Tim! Much appreciated.

 

[Boatdreamer]

Hi Mike, I used the Oceanair Skyscreen # SFSS-40 for the v-birth in our R27. I had to cut the side tracks down so the frame would fit in the ceiling indent. I never did find any that would fit the rest, because I didn't want them hanging down below the hatch. We ended up having Sunbrella snap-in covers made for the rest of the boat. If you have any questions, send me a PM or give me a call.

Tim
Gratitude

 

[knotflying]

Okay, Thanks for the info.

 

[ALICE J]

Rather that place snaps in the overhead, I had heat cut (so the material does not ravel) a piece of sunbrella that lays in the pop-in screen, small tabs keep it from popping out if a vacuum sucks at the screen. Identify which goes where if your hatches are different sizes. roll them when not in use so they are not creased. Use a light colored fabric to avoid the gloom of a dark fabric.

 

[SGIDAVE]

I went a little different route. I wanted to keep most of the heat OUT side the boat, so I put a cover on the OUTSIDE of the hatch. Sailrite.com has a video with detailed instructions. I used Sunbrella fabric and made them myself. Of course, they don't help with bugs...I still have to put the screens in place.

Video here: http://www.sailrite.com/How-to-Make-a-Hatch-Cover-Video

dave

 

[knotflying]

Nice instruction video. Did you find that the cover was better than interior shielding over the screen?

 

[Just Dreamin']

Mike, I took a similar route as Dave trying to keep heat (as much as possible) outside the boat. On my overhead cabin hatches I went with an exterior grade reflective window tint film which took me a couple of hours to cut and apply. I used a bronze color which by spec gives me a 78% heat, 80% glare and 99% UV rejection. In addition, I made inserts for the overhead hatch screens out of HVAC silver insulation for an added layer. For the bow hatch, I went with an exterior cover made by Outland Hatch Covers due to the exterior locking handles. The Outland cover worked out great and they were great to work with. The first cover they made from my measurements did not fit exactly right, so we talked on the phone for a few minutes and several days later a new one arrived at no charge.

Mike

 

[SGIDAVE]

Nice instruction video. Did you find that the cover was better than interior shielding over the screen?

Hello Mike,

I think it reduces cabin heat slightly. Another reason I put the covers on the topside is to help protect the hatch itself from sun damage. The sun/UV here in the SE is brutal although not as bad as Caribbean exposure. Anyway, I thought it might preserve the plastic components somewhat.

dave

 

[captstu]

I put 5 SFSS-40-W-RP Ocean Air shade screens on the hatches on my R-25. I've had them on two previous boats - they keep the heat out quite well - clearly cooler in the hot sunlight.

Unfortunately, two of mine failed on the first operation with the same problem - the screen came out of the retainer bar.

Ocean Air was VERY HARD to work with - since I bought them from an approved re-seller, AhoyCaptain.com at about 1/2 the list price. After a few back and forth e/mails, Ahoy pressured them into sending me one replacement - eventually, they sent the second replacement.

These are the first two failures in 10+ years of using the product.

Ahoy was easy to deal with - but the importer was not so easy. All is well that ends well.

They fit the style and pattern of the boat perfectly, but don't fit the contour of the head liner. I had to put some insulating material in the center of each leg to keep out the bugs and heat - not so hard to do.

/Stu