Campanionway Bugscreen Drop Boards

[John Stone]

In my efforts after the rebuild to splash the Far Reach and sail to the West Indies I put off making bug-screens. Well, we were lucky and had no bug issues in the islands. But I could see had we been there at a different time of the year or had we needed to anchor closer to the shoreline we would have had trouble. Plus, with some summer sailing on the east coast lurking around the corner, it’s time.

We do have bug screens for the portlights. We purchased six lovely port-light screens from Screens of Schooner Bay made by fellow Cape Dorian John Danicic. They augment the surviving four screens we had on hand. But, a way to keep the breeze moving through the boat on a hot clammy buggy night makes a companionway screen essential.

A couple pictures tell the story. I made a template on paper from the drop boards. Then I milled some teak and joined them with half lap joints glued together with thickened epoxy. When it stops raining, we will test fit, make minor adjustments, and then install the screens in the frames.

When the project is completed I’ll publish a detailed post on our website.

[Jim Walsh]

Nice project, John. I also have a set of the port screens made by John Danicic. They are the best. I don't spend enough time in buggy places to make a companionway screen a priority but I also know it only takes one mosquito or one invasion of no-see-ums to make a screen a must-have.
I do carry a selection of fly swatters, including one assault fly swatter to repell flying fish

[John Stone]

Worked on other projects this summer to include all that time in British Columbia splicing wire. Finally, I got a picture of the companionway bug screens installed.

The picture has sort of an optical illusion though. While the sides angle out, the horizontal parts are all perfectly parallel to the threshold. Anyway, I think they will work out well.

Working on welded SS security bars as a drop in for bottom two of the three drop boards. That way we can lock up at night from inside while sleeping vice leave the hatch completely open. And we can leave the boat open during the day with the breeze blowing through and have it locked at the same time. More on that project later.

[Jim Walsh]

I took screen shots of examples of two styles of security bars (a bit blurry, as were the originals) years ago. The first example folds for stowage, a nice feature. The second example looks quick and easy.

[John Stone]

Jim, The top photos look like the security bars on Atom, James Baldwin’s famous Triton. Is that right?The bottom photo is similar to many of the security cages I saw in the Caribbean. A good set up for sure. I like it. But I don’t have any info on how to make it. Do you have info on it?

I asked Baldwin about his set up and he sent me to a website of one of his clients that made one. I exchanged emails with that sailor. I plan to copy that for now, using 3/8” SS 316. Picture attached.

[Jim Walsh]

John,
I have no further info or details. These designs piqued my interest due to their practical and relatively simple construction.