---

While cruising a few years ago, desperation birthed a screen for the forward hatch.  Made from a piece of wire, some mosquito net, and duct tape... it wasn't pretty but it worked. 

Wanted with a new effort was something self storing as well as easy to open and adjust the hatch as it is used extensively for ventilation while cruising as we sleep in the V berth.  Decided on was a permanently mounted frame with aft sliding screen set in grooves just low enough to clear the hatch dogs.

Frame finished

Fit in place
Will remove to apply oil finish
Last step is to install netting

A discovery when the fitting was done is that the frame could have been a couple of inches longer fore and aft to ease access to the hatch dogs.  Not a big issue but if anyone adopts this design, add two inches to that given on the drawing.  The screen frame slides very easily and it will look fine in the boat once it is oiled.

Note:  If the demand for a screen is a rare occurance, then the inconvenience of sliding the screen back to access the hatch would be bothersome, though the screen can simply be slid out and stored off the boat, leaving just the frame. A topsides screen might serve better for very occassional use.

While cruising the Great Lakes, screening is needed in all but windy conditions and almost always, anything topside will be wet with dew and will require drying before it can be stored.  These factors play heavily into the design chosen.