Rail netting

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Joined
Oct 19, 2015
Messages
2,596
Location
United States
Vessel Name
Pacific Myst
Vessel Make
West Bay 4500
We want to install rail netting on the fore deck and flybridge for safety. If you've done it and been happy with it please let me know what you used. As well as hints on the technique.

On the previous boat we used LIFELINE NET 4" #36 13MD WHITE from Seattle Marine and Fishing. There is also the Sailrite product Lifeline Netting 24 - 32" in Height. Sailrite's product is considerably more expensive than Sea Mar's but I'm not sure it would perform any better.

It was OK but not great and a pain to install. One of the challenges is Sailrite's video How to install lifeline netting on a boat shows the installation on life lines. We will be installing on rails.
 
If the netting is in an area that you look thru when navigating the boat use a dark color as white is a visual distraction. Worked good to keep dog and kid onboard.
 
We tried nylon netting and it was expensive and cumbersome. For the last couple of boats we've used this, affixed with small zip ties. It's easy to work with, easy to cut/shape, and lasts in the sun. We replace the zip ties periodically, as they are less UV resistant.
Cheers,
Ric
 

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We tried nylon netting and it was expensive and cumbersome. For the last couple of boats we've used this, affixed with small zip ties. It's easy to work with, easy to cut/shape, and lasts in the sun. We replace the zip ties periodically, as they are less UV resistant.
Cheers,
Ric
Thank you. We're going with something similar.
 
My experience from having netting on a prior sailboat is that unless you are trying to keep small animals or children from going overboard, the netting creates more problems than it solves.
 
There are some nuances to deal with on the plastic netting, notably if you need to reshape the bottom you will want to melt the cut ends to avoid annoying scratches, but the number of hats, tools, fish, crabs, and pets kept onboard over the years have made it worth the trouble.
 
My experience from having netting on a prior sailboat is that unless you are trying to keep small animals or children from going overboard, the netting creates more problems than it solves.
Yes, it does cause some issues. However it keeps the other half happy and that's far more important.
 
Use the BLACK ties. White will not last very long as it is NOT UV stabilized at all.
The Black is UV stabilized from the black.
 
Use the BLACK ties. White will not last very long as it is NOT UV stabilized at all.
The Black is UV stabilized from the black.
That's what we're using. Didn't know about the UV stabilization. The black matches the netting we purchased. Came out looking OK.
 
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