Blower Intake & Exhaust Screen Replacement

[LarsJensen]

As a youngster of the 80/90s ripping around the lakes of northern Wisconsin in a 17' Glastron 140hp IO, my father was very specific that I not damage the intake/exhaust vents for the engine blower. It seemed we were always looking for replacements and none ever matched. Well, I've inherited his genes. I bought my '06 Sunscape LSV a year and a half ago and absolutely love it. That being said, the screens fell out of their frames within the first couple of outings. So, I unscrewed the frames, removed the screens and refastened the frames to the boat thinking I would have time during the offseason. Well, fall to winter, winter to spring, and here I am on a Friday and its 85 and I'm working on a replacement on the screen. 

It's been a successful venture so I thought I would share with you all. I purchased some perforated sheet aluminum that was powder coated with a gloss black finish. I used the old screens as a rough template and fastened it to the frame with two part marine epoxy. A little finesse required as its a compound curve but not enough that the aluminum didn't play nice. There is about 1/4 to 1/2 inch of "play" regarding the frame, screen size, and the cut out in the mold of the boat. A few dry fitting efforts required before applying epoxy.Take a look at the pics. It turned out pretty well.

Items needed

• Perforated sheet aluminum (available raw or powder coated...PM me for who I purchased from....don't want this to appear as an ad)
• Aviation Snips
• Masking tape
• Clamps
• Epoxy
• Sand paper
• Beer....Lots of beer!

[formulaben]

Much better!  Good work!

[Slayer]

Looks great! I have just had this happen on my boat.  Time for some epoxy.

[ahopkins22LSV]

That looks great! The black really makes a difference. Good work!

[LarsJensen]

Thanks guys. The project was fun and very inexpensive. The cost of the aluminum with shipping was $77. The epoxy and clamps were already in possession. 

Next project is a new SeaDek pad for my ski platform. Template package arrives from SeaDek on Friday. Was able to pull off the OEM rubber mat in one piece and then spent an hour with goo remover.