How to Install Lifeline Netting

X-HT-200631

Lifeline netting can be a great way to keep children, pets, headsails and crew members on board a sailboat and often adds extra peace of mind for the boat owner. This diamond-patterned netting can run on your lifelines around the cockpit, around the bow, or even around the entire perimeter of your boat. We're going to show you how to install lifeline netting in this how-to video.

Video Chapters:

Measuring – 0:21 min.
Prepping Netting for Installation – 1:14 min.
Securing Netting at First Stanchion – 2:48 min.
Securing Netting at Adjacent Stanchions – 9:48 min.
Using Lifeline Hooks – 15:41 min.
Finishing at Gate Opening – 16:09 min.
Cutting an Opening in Netting – 27:05 min.
Material List – 29:38 min.

Materials List:

Leech Line Dacron 1/8" White – #21209
Lifeline Netting 24 - 32" in Height – #104801
Marine Fender (Lacing) Hook / Boat Lifeline Netting Hook – #100648 (optional)
5-Ply Waxed Flat Polyester Twine, #100035, or #4 White Waxed Polyester Whipping Twine, #122508 (optional - for gate only)
Shock Cord Hook Plastic White 1/4" – #29308 (optional - for gate only)
Harken® 072 Stamped Shackle 3/16" Stainless Steel (Small) – #123072 (optional -for gate only)
Cable Ties

Tools List:

Sailrite^® Edge Hotknife Package – #103800
#16 Hand Sewing Needle Triangular Point – #29105
Tape Measure, Scissors

To add lifeline netting to your boat, you first need to determine how much netting you will need. Measure around the perimeter of your boat where you’d like the netting to be. If your lifeline has a gate, like ours does in the video, measure two sections: forward and aft from gate to gate. To determine the amount of netting required, multiply your measurement by 1.35.

We used a method of installing the lifeline netting by lashing the netting to the lifelines using leech line along the top and bottom of the netting. To determine the amount of leech line needed, take the perimeter measurement of the area where the line will be installed and multiply it by 2. Then, multiply the product by 1.6. This is the amount of leech line that will be required for this project.

Installing lifeline netting is a simple process, but it does take some time to securely install. You want to be sure everything is secure, so the netting can serve its function. In the video you will learn how to weave the leech line through the netting, how to secure it to stanchions, how to secure the netting between stanchions and how to create a gate opening.

If you need to cut a hole in your netting for your headsail or other obstacles, we’ll also show you how to secure the opening in your netting.

You can find all the materials and tools needed to install lifelines and lifeline netting right here at Sailrite^®.

Do you have lifeline netting on your boat? Did you use this method or a different one for installation? Share your experiences, thoughts and opinions with us in the comments!