john_manchester Posted June 14, 2006 Posted June 14, 2006 She's almost done, left the shop last week. As I hoped the 3 little monkeys peaking out the hatch really like her. Unfortunately they also really like climbing on the decks, which has now been strictly forbidden by the captain. But the captain wants them to be able to climb on the decks if that's what they want, so long as it's safe. Can you guys give me any advice on how to rig simple (i.e. cheap) but effective life lines? I don't actually care how they look, and I don't want to spend a lot of time or money (this season at least--the boat is going in the water come hell or, well, high water). I'm thinking along the lines of bolting 6 or 8 1" stanchion bases through the deck, mounting 24" lengths of aluminum tubing in them, and running lines at 1' and ~2' off the deck through holes drilled in the tubes. Or even some of that plastic orange mesh, I am not picky. I think I could pull that off for about 100 bucks, but don't know if it would be strong enough to catch a slipping kid. Thanks--I'll post more pictures too, sorry for the long silence. The princess has been very demanding... Quote
Brent Posted June 14, 2006 Posted June 14, 2006 John, A precious picture of your monkeys! You have some wonderful boat memories to make in their near future. Many people with young children use netting to keep the young ones from going over the side unintentionally- a baby siene. The netting is not hard to make - enough for a 24 foot boat might take a couple evenings using nylon twine. The same method can be used to make hammocks as well. http://www.bertaut.com/netmaking.html Quote
twinckler Posted June 15, 2006 Posted June 15, 2006 WM has netting 24" high in rolls that are perfect for your use. We have a 42 foot sailboat we lived on with two toddlers for eight years. We put such netting around the entire boat, hanging it from the life lines and screwing it at intervals on the deck. Never lost a kid.... Quote
john_manchester Posted June 20, 2006 Author Posted June 20, 2006 Thanks guys, the netting looks good. I was mostly concerned about strength of the stanchions but apparently that's not an issue, I imagine so long as they're bolted through the deck and a backing plate. Quote
Gordy Hill Posted June 20, 2006 Posted June 20, 2006 John, Your boat is so pretty I think I'd consider a nice stainless pulpit and stanchions. The cost is only a tiny percentage of what you've already invested. Your boat is going to stop traffic wherever you go, I'll bet the kids will love it. Quote
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