Netting - Having a Problem

[Larry F.]

I purchased some netting to put around my boat as I have young children. However, I am having a devil of a time installing it. Initially, I thought the best way would be to take off the safety lines and thread them through the netting. However, I did this on a few sections, and the safety lines look horrible. The netting pulls on them and it does not look right at all. I did not have time to try it any other ways last weekend. I am wondering if the netting should NOT be threaded through the safety lines. Instead, should thread rope throught the top of the netting and the top safety line (there are two) and tie down the bottom of it? Any suggestions would be much appreciated.Thanks,Larry

 

[Carl]

It should be threaded

Larry;I installed lifeline netting on my 310 because I too have small children and a dog. But I paid to have the dealer do it for me before I took delivery. I knew it was going to be a big undertaking goin in, and it was. It took a two man crew over 6 hours to do the job. Bottom line is they did thread the lifelines through the netting, but because there's no toe rail to tie the bottoms off on, it meant creating a whole bunch of very tight knots all along the perimeter. If you're like me, it might be worth peace of mind to spend a few bucks and have it done right. Afterall, this is your childrens' safty we're talking about. Is that the place you want to take chances?

 

[Richard]

Netting ty down

My netting is threaded thru the life lines also but, to tie off the bottom thread a peice of 5/16 line thru the bottom of the netting and then thru the supports at the bottom of each stanction. Ty the ends to the bottom of the bow pulpit and to the bottom of the stanction where the netting ends, pull tight! I don't think you want to add another piece of line to the life line that might make it look even worse. You might try doing the bottom first like I discribed above and then thread your lifelines thru the netting. That way the bottom line can hold the netting while you fuss with the lifelines.Good luck!

 

[Hayden Watson]

here is how I did it

I have had netting on my last 2 boats. My daughter has been sailing since she was 2 weeks old. I will probably never sail with out it.The key to installing netting well is for it to be tight. You must stretch it both vertically and horizontally for it to work well and look good. You attach the netting by weaving the top and middle life lines though the netting and running a tight nylon line though the bottom. I attached a 1/4” 3-strand nylon line to the base of the pullpit and ran it back through the base of each stanchion. It is tied to the last one as tight as I can get it. The line goes from there to the base of the pullpit. I used a Stanchion eye (WM page 809) to give me a ring at the base which I clip a small snap carabiner to. The line is then run through the carabiner and up to a small D shackle hooked through eye of the pelican hook. By leaving the carabiner loose you can snap the lifelines up then use the stretch in the nylon to hook the carabiner.There are two advantages to this method. 1. You get the line at the gate much tighter than otherwise possible. 2. When you open the gate, the netting goes with it so you don’t have it under foot when getting on board.The best compliment I have had on the netting is when a guy with a boat farther down my dock was complimenting me on how nice my boat looked. I mentioned that I really like the netting and he said “Oh you have netting on your boat!” In a year of walking by my boat he had noticed the boat but never noticed the netting.Hayden Watson1988 C30tr/bsPapillonSpokane,WA

 

[Ron]

Try this

I have installed netting on my Cat 25 and Cat 30.Hayden has it right. Get it "tight".I threaded the life line through it. Then added a line at the bottom like Hayden.You can stretch it taught and when done cut the excess off and "melt" ends with a torch to get a finished look.Mine have always looked great!!Make sure you thread the stantions also to keep a tight fit.