Snaps on Portlight shades - need info or picts

[KevinC]

I am looking to add some curtain shades to my oval Bomar Portlights on my 340SDA. I have seen boats that have the snap on shade option and was looking to see how the snap stud base base installed.

If anyone has a pictures or experience they could share it would be helpful. My initial impression was t just drill a hole in the ring and use a screw down stud. However, I was interested in seeing how others were done before going down this path and not knowing what was behind the ring.

Thanks
Kevin

 

[Jon Paul]

These are pretty cool. Was thinking of installing them on mine. I called and the price is very reasonable, forgot the exact price though.
http://www.zarcor.com/products/clozures/index.php#gal-image-0

 

[CliffA]

I am looking to add some curtain shades to my oval Bomar Portlights on my 340SDA. I have seen boats that have the snap on shade option and was looking to see how the snap stud base base installed.

If anyone has a pictures or experience they could share it would be helpful. My initial impression was t just drill a hole in the ring and use a screw down stud. However, I was interested in seeing how others were done before going down this path and not knowing what was behind the ring.

Thanks
Kevin

my boat has the porthole shade option....if I can remember I will take some pics this WE....

cliff

 

[Boater420]

The snap studs just screw into the plastic trim ring. One at 3,6,9 and 12. I had to replace a cracked trim ring this summer and just drilled a small tap hole and screwed them into the ring. Easy.

I also had some new lenses made at a local plastic fabricator. They're more transparent and allow a lot of natural light into the berth, making it look less like a cave.

 

[KevinC]

The snap studs just screw into the plastic trim ring. One at 3,6,9 and 12. I had to replace a cracked trim ring this summer and just drilled a small tap hole and screwed them into the ring. Easy.

I also had some new lenses made at a local plastic fabricator. They're more transparent and allow a lot of natural light into the berth, making it look less like a cave.

Thanks, I like the light they let in that why I am making canvas covers to block all the light only when needed. My rings are stainless but hoping its a similar process.

-Kevin

 

[KevinC]

my boat has the porthole shade option....if I can remember I will take some pics this WE....

cliff

Thanks!

-Kevin

 

[KevinC]

These are pretty cool. Was thinking of installing them on mine. I called and the price is very reasonable, forgot the exact price though.
http://www.zarcor.com/products/clozures/index.php#gal-image-0

I saw those a while ago and thought is was an interesting concept but the canvas snap on covers will be almost 100% light block when needed (which is what we were looking for). If I want a partial shade I can also make some out of phifertex. When I want full light I can just stow them away as they will not take up much space.

-Kevin

 

[JVM225]

Kevin,
My current boat has the roller screen/shade option on the hatches in salon and forward cabin. No need for one in the head. I have a removeable screen for that hatch. They look factory installed on the inside of the hatches, but could have been a retrofit. I think companies like Oceanair make them. They block direct light, but a muted light still filters through. Certainly dark enough for sleeping late or afternoon siesta. Think window shades in a house. The screens are convenient and really nice to have. You’re more than welcome to take a look at them if you want.
My old boat had canvas covers for the hatches. They snapped to the deck surrounding the hatches and matched the rest of the Navy Blue canvas on the boat. They totally blocked all light. Couldn’t tell if it was day or night out with those things in place. No screen options with those though. Thought about having combination canvas edged screens made up, but never got around to it.

 

[KevinC]

Kevin,
My current boat has the roller screen/shade option on the hatches in salon and forward cabin. No need for one in the head. I have a removeable screen for that hatch. They look factory installed on the inside of the hatches, but could have been a retrofit. I think companies like Oceanair make them. They block direct light, but a muted light still filters through. Certainly dark enough for sleeping late or afternoon siesta. Think window shades in a house. The screens are convenient and really nice to have. You’re more than welcome to take a look at them if you want.
My old boat had canvas covers for the hatches. They snapped to the deck surrounding the hatches and matched the rest of the Navy Blue canvas on the boat. They totally blocked all light. Couldn’t tell if it was day or night out with those things in place. No screen options with those though. Thought about having combination canvas edged screens made up, but never got around to it.

Thanks, I also have the roller shade/screen on the hatch and the filler cushions for the fixed sky lights. I was referring to making cover for the side portlights from Bomar that are above our salon couch and galley. Those are the ones that I want to be able to block 100%. Case in point: were going to be sleeping on the boat and we want to keep the cabin dark in the morning but open it up later. Originally was thinking some micro blinds but for an 11" tall area I don't think it makes sense.

-Kevin

 

[JVM225]

Thanks, I also have the roller shade/screen on the hatch and the filler cushions for the fixed sky lights. I was referring to making cover for the side portlights from Bomar that are above our salon couch and galley. Those are the ones that I want to be able to block 100%. Case in point: were going to be sleeping on the boat and we want to keep the cabin dark in the morning but open it up later. Originally was thinking some micro blinds but for an 11" tall area I don't think it makes sense.

-Kevin

All of my side portlights have curtains in front of them. They’re still the originals from Sea Ray and they block the light pretty well. If you’re curtains aren’t there, maybe the slides they were mounted on are and you could just get some heavy material and have some made up. Or if they are there and still let too much light filter through then maybe you can just make something up to put in front of the clear window to block it a bit more.
I have the removeable screens for all of my portlights. If yours are the same size you could use one to make a template for an insert.

 

[KevinC]

All of my side portlights have curtains in front of them. They’re still the originals from Sea Ray and they block the light pretty well. If you’re curtains aren’t there, maybe the slides they were mounted on are and you could just get some heavy material and have some made up. Or if they are there and still let too much light filter through then maybe you can just make something up to put in front of the clear window to block it a bit more.
I have the removeable screens for all of my portlights. If yours are the same size you could use one to make a template for an insert.

Just looking for pictures of how the snap studs are installed. Could you post one?

-Kevin

 

[wrvond]

If you take a look at the stainless trim ring, other than the three dogs that hold the lexan window closed, there are 10 screws that attach the ring to the hull of the boat. There are two, side by side at the top, then one on each side of those, then a pair furthest out in the sharp arcs that form the ellipse that is the window. The screws you are interested in are at approximately 10 and 2 o'clock. Simply remove those screws, insert them through the base (male side) of the snap and screw back in. Install the female side of the snap in your curtain just like you would for carpet runner, then snap it up.
In this picture, they aren't easy to see, but the two snaps are present just outside the hinges using the existing screws.
Hope this helps.

 

[KevinC]

If you take a look at the stainless trim ring, other than the three dogs that hold the lexan window closed, there are 10 screws that attach the ring to the hull of the boat. There are two, side by side at the top, then one on each side of those, then a pair furthest out in the sharp arcs that form the ellipse that is the window. The screws you are interested in are at approximately 10 and 2 o'clock. Simply remove those screws, insert them through the base (male side) of the snap and screw back in. Install the female side of the snap in your curtain just like you would for carpet runner, then snap it up.
In this picture, they aren't easy to see, but the two snaps are present just outside the hinges using the existing screws.
Hope this helps.

Thanks. I thought that was how it is. I took the screw out but the head would not fit through a stud base and I could not find a screw with the same threads with a smaller head to fit. Maybe it was special part.

-Kevin

 

[KevinC]

Thanks to a discussion with @JVM225 I think I am going to look in a different direction. He suggested the use a removeable tension rods and adding the curtains to them. That makes sense and makes it removable - great idea - that's why we have discussions here!

-Kevin

 

[JVM225]

Kevin, good seeing you this weekend. We woke up late, and just had enough time to disconnect the electric, untie the lines and shove off by the 9:00 check out. We’ve got a bunch of things going on over the next few weeks, but hope to do another Tobay weekend after that. Maybe we’ll catch up with you there again.

 

[KevinC]

Kevin, good seeing you this weekend. We woke up late, and just had enough time to disconnect the electric, untie the lines and shove off by the 9:00 check out. We’ve got a bunch of things going on over the next few weeks, but hope to do another Tobay weekend after that. Maybe we’ll catch up with you there again.

Yep, same here! We pulled out early once the admiral gave the orders. Probably driving down tonight to help a friend with boat problems.

-Kevin

 

[CliffA]

sorry these are late....in case you are still considering this type shade....

cliff

 

[KevinC]

sorry these are late....in case you are still considering this type shade....

cliff
View attachment 58204 View attachment 58205 View attachment 58206

Thanks Cliff! Ours are completely different with stainless steel trim rings inside. I already picked up some tension bars (for home shower) and a curtain (for material) from Walmart. Going to cut down the curtains to fit and see how it goes. Not much of an expense just a little bit of my time sewing it.

-Kevin

 

[JVM225]

Kevin, not sure how heavy the Walmart material is but if you could possibly sew sunbrella to the back of the curtains they’d probably become black outs.
Slept on my boat last night with shades pulled over hatches and skylight covered. It was pretty dark in there. Plenty dark enough for me. But the factory curtains over the portlights do let some some light bleed through in the morning and they’re fairly heavy.
Again, more than dark enough in the cabin for me but not exactly a total blackout.

 

[KevinC]

They are not black outs, but they are dark. First try is going to try doubling the material instead of the stock backer. Looks like the tension rods is going to work although it's a little awkward by the galley. Might be easier once the curtains are hemmed.

-Kevin