Attaching lee cloth to headlining in aft cabin of an HR36

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JUSTINHALEWOOD

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Hi All,
I am looking to install headlining fittings to attach a lee cloth for the port side aft bunk in the aft cabin of our HR36. Has anyone come up with a good way to ensure the fittings don't end up cresting a hazard for your head?! Is there a way to have some form of flushing plate in the headlining that a barrel fitting can push/twist/lock into?
Thanks for any suggestions or ideas!
Best
Justin
 
The headlining won't be strong enough unless there is a backing plate bonded to the cabin top which whatever fitting you care to use can be screwed into. It's more usual for the fittings to be attached to bulkheads or other furniture.
 
The headlining on HRs is fixed with small screws to small battens glued to the u/s of deck. Any leecloth fixed tothe headlining will be a chocolate teapot when needed. is there a suitable grab handle which will be securely fixed to the deck? if so fix to that. Otherwise fixing through deck is needed.
 
There are indeed (small) grab handles on the deck above the aft cabin. It will be quite a substantial job to take down the headlining and attach to these though, but I take yours and Fr's point. As with all things boat-related, there is no easy answer!
 
JUSTINHALEWOOD said:
There are indeed (small) grab handles on the deck above the aft cabin. It will be quite a substantial job to take down the headlining and attach to these though, but I take yours and Fr's point. As with all things boat-related, there is no easy answer!
Click to expand...
No need to take down headlining, just use a line with snap shackle around the handle.
 
JUSTINHALEWOOD said:
Sorry - these are on the outside of the boat but I assume screwed through the deck head
Click to expand...

OK, none in the aft cabin then. Is your headlining the standard striped one with mahogany laths at about 150mm centres? If so easy to remove the portion needed to access the deckhead. The strips are held with silicone sealer, lever out a strip, to reveal the screws which hold the panel pieces.
 
It’s just marine ply with a fabric cover. I’ll try to upload some photos. Limited access to bulkheads or other strong points in the fixing locations we need. Thanks for ideas so far!
 
For the actual fitting in the roof you could try one of those recessed lift handles for floor panels which go, level when released or make up a plate witha keyhole slot in it and use a screw of bolt head to go into the hole then along the slot. All needs to strong enough of course. ol'will
 
I found canvas lea cloths move too much & allow the sleeper to move & that wakes them up. On my current boat & my last one I have done it differently. I attach the cloth at the top of the seating side as I assume you have. This is backed up with an aluminium strip to clamp the canvas.
I then measured the distance to the floor.
I then cut ( Or had cut) the lea cloths such that they just touched the floor when hanging down. They could have been slightly more. When not in use they just hang down. One could clip them back with a couple of pipe clips to retain them, but mine catch between the door architrave one end & a moulding the other when the boat heels over.
Along the top edge I have sewn a roll in the cloth such that I can pass an 18mm ss pipe through it
At each end of the bunk I have timber blocks with notches in them. The cloths can now be raised up & the ends of the tube dropped into the notches. I have rubber end caps as used on walking sticks on the end of the ss tube. This stops sharp edges scratching the wood.
I could have made the sides higher but I cannot tuck them under the bunk cushions as the cushions are held with velcro so they would slide off if the lea cloth was between base & cushion. If the Op can avoid this & tuck them under the cushions the sides can be higher. Of couse one could roll them up but that would be a faff for me.
I like lower sides because being single handed I can hop over the top quickly in an emergency & not mess about untying cords.
I do have a notch in the canvas half way along so I can attach a strap for additional support in very heavy weather. This ties to the rail just below the cabin windows. I rarely need it as the tube is strong enough.
The advantage of the tube is that I can put a bit of the duvet against it for padding. Pull my knees up into the foetal position & wedge my knees to the other side of the bunk, back against the cloth side . Nice & rigid for a decent kip
 
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