Oval Port Screen

[dronthelake]

We purchased our 3700 SCR last fall. Our previous boat was a Regal. The previous owner of the Maxum removed all the port screens. Question, how in the world do you get these back in? They don't snap in easily like the Regal. I installed one today outside the rubber seal, between the seal and the stainless frame. Took 10 minutes and had to use a butter. I have to be missing something simple.

[seapuppy]

they are pretty standard port lights...so they should just fit in...no snapping too them...


SP

[dronthelake]

That is what I thought. The plastic frame around the screen is at least 3/8" larger than the inside dimension of the rubber port seal. It will not fit inside the opening of the seal. With the screens being left out I wonder if the rubber seal shrank. You know, like the rubber seal around the door to the head.

[William Ferrell]

Had to do the same thing with mine and 10 minutes does not sould bad I never thought of a butter knive[ATTACH][/ATTACH]

[dronthelake]

Being between the seal and stainless frame made it difficult to latch the port closed, it makes the seal bulge and not lay flat. I am thinking about cleaning the screen frame and the exterior stainless really good, then apply a thin bead of silicon to the screen frame and stick it to the exterior of the port.

[dronthelake]

I believe all the rubber port seals have shrunk slightly leaving no room for the screen frame. Putting the screen between the seal and the stainless frame cause the seal to bulge inward thereby putting excessive strain on the port hinge and plastic latches. I got tired of having to force the ports closed so I silicone the screen to the exterior.

[rgreenwell8962]

Its going on four years now and every year I attempt to get those darn screens to fit somehow. I cannot get them to stay in no matter what I try. Its pretty ridiculous if you ask me. I gave up on them.

[dronthelake]

Last month I clean the screen frame and the exterior of the SS port frame with alcohol and glued them in place with a small bead of clear silicon. Still in place and looks fine from both inside and out.

[BayBoy]

Which way are you putting them in? The go in from the outside of the boat not the inside. Another trick is to take a small needle and bore a small hole through one of the screen frame tabs (go right through the screen webbing) and then tie a short piece of clear fishing line to the screen and then the other end to one of the latches on the inside of the boat. This acts a a safety lanyard for the screen as the hull will flex in rough seas (or an occational unintended hit against the dock) and kick out the screens. Could be why they were all gone to begin with. They are expensive little bastards and 5 cents worth of fishing line can save you a lot in the future.

Rubber Port seals expand while over heat. Use another thing to seal.

[tackleshep]

Mine came glued on - I think thats the option.

[seaclusion3300]

Had my 3300SCR for 5 years, only way I could get them to stay in was a smear of silicon on the back and stick them in place.