Please print these instructions out for easy reference while you measure your screens.
Directions for Measuring Hatches w/out Trim
Many sailboats have cabin hatches that are molded right into the cabin ceiling or have a soft liner that is trimmed around the hatch opening with a thin plastic molding. In these cases, and others, you have considerable flexibility in choosing the size and shape screen you want. As long as the screens or turnblocks, can be mounted to the cabin ceiling, the exact dimensions are up to you.
I ) Write screen design you would like for this hatch on each hatch diagram and the number of hatches with these dimensions on Line 1.
2) Label Fore, Aft, Port & Starboard on diagram. Lines 2.
3) Measure inside dimensions of hatch and write these in Lines 3
4) Distance you would like inside edge of screen to extend past the inside edge of hatch. If you would like it flush with the hatch write "0" in Line 4.
5) Indicated whether you would like the corners to be square or rounded. If rounded, use the corner radius guide and indicate the corner radius you want in Lines 5.
6) If the hatch opening is not square and you would like either the HS-2 "Swing-Down" or HS-3 "Slide-In" screen design, indicate the orientation you want. For the "Swing-Down", write "HINGES" on the side where you want the hinges to go. For the "Slide-In", label the side from which the screen will enter and exit.
7) Take a straight edge and place it up against the cabin ceiling where each of the outside edges of the screen will be to determine if it is flat or if there is curvature. (If all sides are not flat, the curvature is normally on the fore and aft sides) Holding the straight edge up against the length of the curved side and the end of a ruler against the ceiling, measure the largest point in the gap between the straight edge and the ceiling. Write whether the side is flat or, if bowed, the amount of the gap and with an arrow indicate where it was located on Lines #7. The greatest gap is usually in the middle but not always.
8) Place the straight edge across the hatch opening and draw it across the complete length to see if any part of the hatch mechanism (dogs, screw knobs, spring bars, slide bars etc.) extends below the surface of the trim. If some part does and it cannot be moved or modified, hold the straight edge next to the part and with the end of the ruler flush with the top of the straight edge, measure how far the part extends below the edge of the hatch. In the space for #8 write either "NO" or "YES" and the measurement.
9) A final note. Make sure there no objects or other constraints around the hatch that will prevent the screen from opening and closing properly, especially with the "Slide-In" design.