Questions about Canvas Work

[Morning Star36]

This would be much easier to ask and google if I knew the correct terms for the project. I want to make canvas that goes all the way around the boat and attaches to the railings and down to the deck. The Morning Star is a Trawler and has some metal top railings and some are cables. I want to create a feeling of saftey for my dog and for any children that are on board when we cruise. My questions are #1 are the ones that connect to the metal railing laced on and then snaped at the bottom? If so, what kind of snaps would be best to use? #2 For the ones that go on the cable part of the railing do they slide on like on a curtain rod for example and then snap to the bottom, and again what kind of snaps.

Thanks for any help you can offer, any pictures would be appriciated if anyone has any or can find any. I had no luck googling "canvas for trawler railings" and such. I'm guessing these things have an actual name but I have not been able to find it.

Marsha

[tamicatana]

look up "lee cloth lifeline" But usually such things are made of netting for the purpose you describe, as the netting would weigh far less (and be less expensive). Lee cloths are better as spray and wind deflectors, if you like that

As I recall, usually these things lace on, and it would be more secure to lace top and bottom for which you'd have to install eyestraps to the deck.

To build, just do rectangles with broad hems, install grommets, and lace to the boat

here's an example, not necessarily a suggestion. It looks here like it's got webbing for the laces ROBSHIP Lee Cloth at West Marine

[wingless]

The awning rail and Keder welt could be useful in this application. I use this system to attach my canvas to my overhead arch.

[Vasco]

Weather cloths.

[jstevens]

I think the proper term for what you are planning is Weather Cloths. Typically they just cover the aft portion of the lifelines. If you want to have all-round protection for the lifelines I would use netting as the other poster recommended, for the forward section. Sunbrella or similar cloth would create a lot of windage and pressure on the forward lifelines when under way.

John

[FSMike]

Lee cloths keep you in your berth when it's bouncy.
Weather cloths keep the spray out side the boat when it's bouncy (or most of it lol).

[tamicatana]

I don't know these things, being a multihull'er -)

[SailingChance]

I would recommend using netting as the other commenters state. We just fed ours through the metal railing (ours are attached with fittings, not welded in one piece) on the top. On the bottom we're attaching eyelets at the mid point between the stanchions and then will be using a rope to tension the bottom of the netting. If you are going to use canvas, I wouldn't got the route of the curtain rod style. You want it tight. I would install grommets and then weave a line through the grommets and over the railing.

Good luck!
Kelley

[wingless]

Originally Posted by wingless

The awning rail and Keder welt could be useful in this application. I use this system to attach my canvas to my overhead arch.

Originally Posted by SailingChance

If you are going to use canvas, I wouldn't got the route of the curtain rod style. You want it tight. I would install grommets and then weave a line through the grommets and over the railing.

If this "curtain rod" statement is pointed at the awning rail and Keder welt, then that is incorrect.

On my boat, the top canvas that I retain to my arch w/ the awning rail and Keder welt is trampoline tight. These parts permit a small, clean, strong, easily removable and secure attachment, the other end is used to tension the canvas.

This reply shows my usage of the awning rail and Keder welt on the top canvas panels on my boat.

[Morning Star36]

I want to thank everyone for your help on this. You have given me some very good ideas. Fortunatly I am an expert seamstress (upholsterer) by trade and am able to make these myself on my sailmaker sewng machine.
You have given me some excellent ideas and advise and now I even know what these things are called!! Thanks again my friends. I will try to post some pictures when I get the project completed.