Our one year old daughter is beginning to get her 'sealegs' and while we have one eye on her at all times, I'm thinking that there's nothing like a little extra precaution in the case that she decides to take some creative initiative (as you know it only takes a second and they are into something.) I have a Catalina 27 and wondered if anyone has tackled the interesting task of putting netting around the stantions? If someone could dialogue about their experience, I'd appreciate any thoughts, tricks, etc. I was told that I should measure, and then add 30% more to take into account the stretching of the netting. What is the relative cost? My toe rails do not have holes all along the track, so is there another way to secure the bottom part of the netting so its taut? Has anyone seen any photos of this kind of project captured on the web? While we are on the topic I'd appreciate any thoughts on things folks have done to "childproof" or make the boat more secure. Thanks,
Netting around stantions; childproofing
- Thread starter Christian7591
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Just installed some on a C30
I just installed 20 feet each side on my Catalina 30. I have a golden retiever dog that is the most important thing in the eyes of the admiral next to the grown up kids. Me and the boat are down the list somewhere. I would have to jump in afer the pooch so i'ts best to keep her on board. I started at the cockpit end stanchion ahead of the gateway I remove for boarding. I had to put some of those mini pad eyes along the rail as I don't have one of those metal toe rails full of handy holes. We sowed the starting end of the netting vertically around the stanchion. Go in about two squares so you get a good grip. Next I just looped along the top sewing it to the lifeline as I went. Only go one stanchion at a time. Then do the bottom same distance along. On the bottom, I used a piece of 1/8 line, tying it to the bottom of the stanchion with a pad eye in between each stanchion. I then used this as I did the top life line. When I arrived at the furthest forward point I needed to be, I ran some more 1/8 line vertically and then sewed the front end of the netting to it like I did the first stanchion. I tried some plastic ties at first but they didn't work. Have your admiral help and it goes fast. I had the first side on and off three times before it looked OK. Other side was a breeze once I had a system. I could take some pics on Wed night and send them to you if that helps. Fair winds. Ken
I just installed 20 feet each side on my Catalina 30. I have a golden retiever dog that is the most important thing in the eyes of the admiral next to the grown up kids. Me and the boat are down the list somewhere. I would have to jump in afer the pooch so i'ts best to keep her on board. I started at the cockpit end stanchion ahead of the gateway I remove for boarding. I had to put some of those mini pad eyes along the rail as I don't have one of those metal toe rails full of handy holes. We sowed the starting end of the netting vertically around the stanchion. Go in about two squares so you get a good grip. Next I just looped along the top sewing it to the lifeline as I went. Only go one stanchion at a time. Then do the bottom same distance along. On the bottom, I used a piece of 1/8 line, tying it to the bottom of the stanchion with a pad eye in between each stanchion. I then used this as I did the top life line. When I arrived at the furthest forward point I needed to be, I ran some more 1/8 line vertically and then sewed the front end of the netting to it like I did the first stanchion. I tried some plastic ties at first but they didn't work. Have your admiral help and it goes fast. I had the first side on and off three times before it looked OK. Other side was a breeze once I had a system. I could take some pics on Wed night and send them to you if that helps. Fair winds. Ken
Liveaboard Experience
We used to live aboard a Coronado 35 Sloop and the first thing we did was place netting all around the stanchions (thread thru lifelines)to safeguard our then two year old son. They work quite well, but you will have to watch the bow pulpit area that is tough to close up and secure. We also followed the rule that he was to have a lifepreserver on at all times. Kids adjust quickly to the netting, but its more important they adjust to wearing a life preserver. Bob Catalina 30 Breezin II
We used to live aboard a Coronado 35 Sloop and the first thing we did was place netting all around the stanchions (thread thru lifelines)to safeguard our then two year old son. They work quite well, but you will have to watch the bow pulpit area that is tough to close up and secure. We also followed the rule that he was to have a lifepreserver on at all times. Kids adjust quickly to the netting, but its more important they adjust to wearing a life preserver. Bob Catalina 30 Breezin II
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