I have a 2052 and was wondering if there was a screen provided for the cabin hatch when new? It was hot sleeping in the cabin on the lake this weekend and could not keep the hatch open because of the bugs.
When I purchased my 2005 2052 (new) I made sure the dealer supplied the screen. It does not normally come with the boat but must be purchased separately. I guess he figured he didn't want to lose the sale of the boat over what is basically a $5 item (that probably sells for $50!). Of course I hit him with that after we agreed on price.
My 2002 WA didn't have one either so I made one with 1/4 plywood, some fiberglass screen and marine epoxy. I made a cardboard pattern by having my daughter hold a piece of cardboard up from the inside and I traced the opening with the hatch up. Cut out the pattern and checked the fit. Trimmed as necessary. Then traced onto the 1/4 plywood. I then measured 1 & 1/4 inches in from the outside and made another line. I cut on the inside line with a jigsaw and this gave me a frame that would fit into the hatch with a 1 & 1/4 inch wide area to epoxy the insect screen to.
To make gluing the screen to the frame easier I laid out a large plastic bag and the insect screen. Made sure the insect screen was straight and flat. Mixed up the epoxy and put a generous coat on one side of the frame then laid the frame onto the insect screen and let it dry. Once dry, I took a sharp utility knife and cut the insect screen flush with the frame. Applied another coat of epoxy to the whole frame. Sanded the edges as needed to ensure a snug fit and used a small SS screw and nylon pull tab so it could be easily removed.
I know this sounds like a lot of work bit it didn't take but a few hours to complete. I already had all of the materials so it didn't cost me anything but a little time. Plus I got to do a project with my daughter.
Not sure if it can be done with the 2052, but on my old Starcraft Chieftain we put a screen on the hatch. Instead of making a frame and stretching screen and then having to store the screen and frame we simply used pliable screen with stick on Velcro.
We cut the screen to the hatch size and then added a little extra. To the extra we attached the velcro. Around the hatch we stuck the other half of the velcro. So when we wanted the screen we simply attached the velcro together and when not in use it took up virtually little room to store. We actually did not store it but instead just left it attached.
all told it was probably a $10 project that took 10-15 minutes to make. Then again there must be something wrong with this idea because it was way too cheap and fast to do for being a boat project!
2052 hatch screen?
Linear Mode
