Yes, but the hatch and suction cup must be clean. Old hatches often have some grease / dirt that needs to be cleaned with soap and water. If there is problem, clean both hatch and the suction cup. So if the hatch and suction cup are clean it can sit for years. You may also use the magnet solution
Magnets are included in all new package of mosquito nets / blinds.FAQ - Mosquito nets and blackout curtains.
Questions and answers
The plastic material in a fiberglass hatch is not smooth enough for a suction cup. Here we need to use a small plastic plate. It attaches with double sided tape. The same plate you can have on the dashboard in your car for a GPS.
Yes it will fit all shapes, round, square and rectangular. There will be a larger overlap in the corner on round hatches. Round hatches have an inner diameter of 500 mm. Choose for dark and for mosquito net.
Yes, it will fit rounded, oval and rectangular shaped portlights. The net / blind need to be larger than the portlight opening so it will be some overlap.
Portlight elliptical
Portlight rectangular
Portligth oval
Yes, with nets it’s no problem so with blinds, you need to prolong the suction cup / magnet with a cord in the same way as the mosquito net on hatch / portlight.
Blackout shade for deep portlight
Blinds with ventilation deep hatch
The nets and blinds are universal. They should only be larger than the opening “cut-out” for the hatches. So they will fit all brands such as Lewmar, Rutgersons Marine, Bomar, Taylor and other brands as well.
Yes, the hatches are the same on both motor and sailboats, so it’s not an issue.
It’s not a problem if the suction cup and the portlight is clean. So to make extra safety we have included a security line. It’s rubber cord that you have from the suction cup to one of the handles of the portlight. You may also use our magnets solution.
You must use a blind with 2 suction cups (
or ). For mosquito nets this is no problem beacause the suction cup can sit on the side of the ventilation.
Blackout shade for ventilated hatches section
Mosquito net ventilation hatch
Open portlight
- Open the portlight.
- Mount the suction cup or magnet according to instruction.
- Press the suction or the magnet (magnet and metal plate) to the window. Make sure the suction cup and window is clean for best result.
- The blind will be on the outside of the portlight.
- Tighten up the blind against the wall / portlight by folding the portlight window.
- Use the security line and attach it to the knob on the portlight so it won’t fall in the water.
Closed portlight
- Keep the hatch portlight.
- Mount the suction cup or magnet according to instruction, on the blind.
- Press the suction or the magnet (magnet and metal plate) to the hatch. Make sure the suction cup is clean for best result.
If you have a deep portlight you need to use a cord to prolong the suction cup / magnet. To remove the net, don’t pull in the blind. First remove the suction cup or magnet with a finger.
The most common size on boats are ~500 x 500 mm (20″ x 20″). We call them regular size hatches. They could also be called standard. This size will be found on most boats. Our guess is that 90% have regular sized hatches. They are large enough for a regular sized person to climb out of, so they are used as an emergency exit. Larger hatches are often much larger compared to the regular size. Boaters that are uncertain about their size have regular hatch to 99,99% chans. Our large nets / blinds will not fit super good on a regular hatch. We will be happy to exchange if you got the wrong size. This is one of the most Frequently asked Questions.
How to measure your hatches
You measure the “cut out” size, the size of the hole the net / blind needs to cover. The net / blind must be larger than the “cut out” size. Frequently asked questions are answered here.
How to measure hatches
We do not, but with several blinds / bug screens you can have an overlap. It will give you extended coverage. This is very common on motorboats and the cockpit cabin.