4 inch port screens

[MacGyver]

My boat didn't have those screens with it. And the guy at Hutchins yacht said they don't sell them anymore because they were so ridiculously priced and kept going up.
What do these look like? Where and how do they fasten in?

I am ready to fire up my wood lathe and start some prototyping but no idea where to begin.

Any help is appreciated. I haven't found a single picture on the net or any clues.

[Salty19]

Maybe I'll take a pic of them for you next time I'm at the boat.

Basically those recesses in the port contain metal rings which expand to fit into 2 the recess. In between is the screen; brass frame, about 1/4" wide with brass screen soldered to the frame. A short pin with ball is brazed to the frame so you can hold onto it for removal, which I've never done.

I bought two and wished I had 4 due to the price going up.
One of the problems with the screens are rain can and does come in if left open.  You can hang little quart sized painter buckets or similar to catch the rain, but I never liked always having to drain the buckets.

To help solve this problem, I also made screened intake ducts out of 3" PVC elbow with screen tied to the 3" male end. The 4" outer diameter of the female end of the elbow fits into the port with a tiny bit of sanding to fit.  If you have some screen and wire ties/trim tape you can make 4 of them about $12. Just keep them pointed a little down from horizontal (i.e. pointed forward, but titled down a bit) so the rain can't collect.  Need to get a pic of these too.  They seem to work great but do hang out over the side deck making footing a little more complicated.  I generally use the upper deck to go forward anyway.

[cycle]

@ Salty -  Thanks for reminding about your pvc idea.  I had called Hutchins abou the screens and after they told me they dont have them anymore due to $$, they also mentioned that you can use coffee can lids with cutouts for screening.  Of the two I really like the PVC idea better for durability & rain.

[MacGyver]

Sounds like a great idea, please post pictures if you can,

My boss did say about brazing wire and making the screens myself, I didnt quite understand what he was telling me overall.

sad that their supplier was raking them over the coals on the screens......... seems like such a simple item.

Mac

[skip1930]

I bought them. Yea, they cost a few bucks. They fit against the outside of the glass 4" port. Then a spring surround wire clip is pushed into the groove until it snaps in and expands into the groove holding the screen which has a brass metal edge around it's circumference. Be sure that the openings of the round clip are pointing down so the water will drain out and into the collar of the port. Typically with these ports they hold water and when opening them when you see accumulated water, it's best to have a towel on the ready.

skip.

[Salty19]

Here's a couple of pictures of the ports.





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[MichaelQuigley]

My 19/3 is missing the 4 screens for the portholes, which are no longer available.

Going to come up with a recipe to make replacements, possibly with a 3D-printed frame.

Could someone who has these screens possibly take some fresh photos of them and also be willing to get me some measurements?

[crazycarl]

Ive been waiting for the grandson to 3D print some for me for past 2 years. 😴

[MichaelQuigley]

If we can the measurements, I'm sure I can put something together!

I would be happy to print you some, also...

[MacGyver]

I measured my screens made by a plastics company when I worked at the marina. I worked with them to make a 3 and 15/16ths inch OD screen frame, that was 3/8 inch wide, the assembly with the screen sandwiched between the parts was 1/8th inch strong (meaning more like 3/16th but not quite, possibly 5/32) and the individual disc seems to be about 1/16th thick.
The locking rings are a SS wire or rod, spring like, made similar shape to a C clip and those are roughly 13 inches long, made into a locking ring appearance, the tabs to squeeze it together are 1 and 1/4 inches long to the bend point of where they make the circumference appearance. These sit in grooves in the port itself.
Each window needs 2 of these rings, an inner and an outer. The screen sets in between them. snug to get them out as far as the screens go, I think one had to be adjusted with some sand paper to make it slide in and slide out easier which to be honest aren't something I'd remove often.

If anything else is needed, let me know.
Mac

[MichaelQuigley]

Appreciate the info!

I'm kinda thinking I might 3D print the screen frames using a flexible plastic called TPE (thermoplastic elastomer), and print the screens right into the middle of frame (so the screen is "captive" in the melted plastic layers)

That would make them flexible, and if I can get the sizing right they can probably slip right into the ports in a way that the springiness of the frame itself holds it in place.

TPE is a black material that's almost like a rubber gasket, but with a higher durometer.

I will report back when I have results. If my method works, I could probably produce screens pretty easy and cost effectively.

[MacGyver]

Definitely interested in how that goes. These I think were ABS frames possibly and the screen material is glued between the panels. I know the cost was reasonable, but then again I could not source the brass screens original and don't have a machine shop to make them. Let alone the cost I'm sure.....

With the TPE would you make them bigger to have that lip grab the edges of the locking ring reliefs? And as a suggestion, maybe add a pull tab to help get them out possibly? Otherwise as a suggestion to anyone looking at these I use a small pick to get mine but I am super careful not to damage them. Luckily I don't take them out often!

Any other measurements let me know, She is resting in the garage!
Mac

[MichaelQuigley]

Definitely interested in how that goes. These I think were ABS frames possibly and the screen material is glued between the panels. I know the cost was reasonable, but then again I could not source the brass screens original and don't have a machine shop to make them. Let alone the cost I'm sure.....

With the TPE would you make them bigger to have that lip grab the edges of the locking ring reliefs? And as a suggestion, maybe add a pull tab to help get them out possibly? Otherwise as a suggestion to anyone looking at these I use a small pick to get mine but I am super careful not to damage them. Luckily I don't take them out often!

Yes! We could certainly add whatever bells and whistles make sense. Might be a good idea to add a "lip" or a few "tabs" around the circumference of the frame to have it engage with the grooves that are already there. Might be a nice way to go. I was initially thinking it would mostly be a friction fit, but those grooves are already there... might make sense to use them.

And I could certainly add something to grab onto that makes getting them out easier.

The TPE I'm using has the appearance and consistency of a fairly tough o-ring. It prints really well as long as you go slow and has a quality finish to it. Shouldn't need to be a big or obtrusive ring in order to create a strong enough frame for the screens.

I'm going to plan on picking up some screen material from Amazon and try and knock out a few prototypes over the next few months. Got a bunch of projects lined up for Bella.

Side bonus... I bet I could print new TPE gaskets for those portlights if they ever became necessary.

Any other measurements let me know, She is resting in the garage!

Really appreciate that!

Looking forward to doing some more fall/winter sailing myself. Just waiting for the new trailer to be ready.