Boat Curtains

[masharry]

if you have these, how are they fixed? We have a fibreglass boat so no internal wood to screw rails into. Do you screw direct into fibreglass or what, and how?
Thanks.

 

[prv]

For lightweight things you can screw into fibreglass, but make the hole bigger than you would in wood otherwise it will crack. If you can get at the other side of the panel then small nuts and bolts are better.

However, if the fibreglass surface is very visible, consider gluing to it instead as the hole will be there forever even if you change your mind about the curtains. Sticky foam pads will hold lightish things indefinitely if you clean the fibreglass with acetone first, but can be removed cleanly years later. My previous owner used silicone which might not be the best option but did allow me to peel off some of what he'd added.

Pete

 

[VicS]

Mine are on rails screwed to small wooden pads bonded to the grp.

Originally tried an impact adhesive to glue the pads on .... not successful.

Then used car body filler ... that worked ok but you have to do when warm or it takes too long to set.

Am now trying Evostik "Serious Stuff" ... I dont think that going to be as good as the car body filler!

If you have headliner on wooden panels you may be able to screw the track to the edges of those.

Silent Gliss track and mini sliders from Hawke House Ltd

 

[status]

For lightweight things you can screw into fibreglass, but make the hole bigger than you would in wood otherwise it will crack. If you can get at the other side of the panel then small nuts and bolts are better.

However, if the fibreglass surface is very visible, consider gluing to it instead as the hole will be there forever even if you change your mind about the curtains. Sticky foam pads will hold lightish things indefinitely if you clean the fibreglass with acetone first, but can be removed cleanly years later. My previous owner used silicone which might not be the best option but did allow me to peel off some of what he'd added.

Pete

Just double checking before you go screwing to the fibreglass, what is the fibreglass makeup? If it is an internal lining or balsa cored screwing is possible but if, like ours, is only single skin, pointy tips of self tappers sticking out of the coachroof sides is a bit of an issue.

Without doubt the OP would have figured this but posting it makes me feel as if I am making a valuable contribution.

I am planning to stick hardwood battens to the fibreglass with 'sikaflex' and then screw to these. Note planning, I haven't done it yet, its on the list.

Stuart

 

[prv]

Just double checking before you go screwing to the fibreglass, what is the fibreglass makeup? If it is an internal lining or balsa cored screwing is possible but if, like ours, is only single skin, pointy tips of self tappers sticking out of the coachroof sides is a bit of an issue.

Very good point! I was thinking of my own interior liner, but you are of course right.

Pete

 

[colston]

Boat curtains

On my Beneteau there are press studs on some of the screws around the window, the curtains are then fitted with the other part of the press studs and fixed to the widows when required.

 

[Fantasie 19]

Wooden battens attached to the single skin, with screws screwed in from outside... Then normal curtain elastic top and bottom running through holes drilled in the battens...

 

[prv]

Wooden battens attached to the single skin, with screws screwed in from outside...

Don't think I'd want to breach the shell for something as trivial as curtains . I've had enough small rainwater leaks to fix from necessary penetrations.

Pete

 

[TSB240]

Self adhesive velcro....

For smaller curtains have found self adhesive velcro strip sewn on curtain along top and bottom has performed well over two seasons now.

The self adhesive tape avoids drilling and the privacy is good on steeply angled windows.

 

[Fantasie 19]

Don't think I'd want to breach the shell for something as trivial as curtains . I've had enough small rainwater leaks to fix from necessary penetrations.Pete

Previous owner my friend.....

F.w.i.w - they don't - leak that is - well bedded in with silicone I think...

 

[prv]

Don't think I'd want to breach the shell for something as trivial as curtains .

Previous owner my friend.....

You and me both. Mine didn't understand about cored decks either, and made liberal use of the drill

Pete

 

[KINGFISHER 9]

I was going to suggest Velcro ... I see someone beat me to it ... if not strips then a little square in each corner ... match colour to f/g.

 

[rob2]

You can stick some wooden battens to the GRP with Gripfill or similar and then screw into those. I used a grab adhesive to stick some roofing battens to the keel of the tender to improve its directional stability and for beaching - still there ten years later!

Rob.

 

[Adrian]

I was going to suggest Velcro ... I see someone beat me to it ... if not strips then a little square in each corner ... match colour to f/g.

We use round magnets, they come with self adhesive metal pads and are less obvious than valcro.

clicky

Have to admit to a slight business interest

 

[Searush]

My old Westerly has alloy (Gliss?) curtain rails screwed direct into the cabin sides, but I'm pretty sure the GRP is over 1/2" thick anyway! In addition there are spring wires (as used with old fashioned net curtains) across the bottom of the window to stop the curtains flapping. It's lasted 39 years so far so seems to be secure enough.

 

[V1701]

I made some blinds from a roll of cordura off ebay, hemmed and attached with velcro pads, roll them up and stow when not needed. Been using them all winter as I live aboard in a marina and they work well, particularly with the awkward shape of the windows and the large front window which is closer to horizontal than vertical...

 

[masharry]

Thanks for all the ideas. I will now need to go and check our GPR. It's an old boat so may be thick enough to screw into, and we might have a liner, I've never paid that much attention to this before!

Velcro and magnets great ideas, and may be appropriate in one or two places but I will try for something that can stay in place permanently if at all possible as space is at a premium with us and i don't want to have to find yet another place for something to be stowed!

 

[ostell]

My old Westerly has alloy (Gliss?) curtain rails screwed direct into the cabin sides, but I'm pretty sure the GRP is over 1/2" thick anyway!

My Westerly Centaur (currently with no head lining!) has wood battens embedded in the glass above the windows. The curtain rail is attached to this rather screwed directly into the sides.

 

[alahol2]

On a previous boat, with no liner and fairly thin cabin sides, I bolted from outside. Provided you countersink then fill level with gelcoat filler there are no leaks and no visible means of support.

 

[colvic987]

This is how the curtains on my boat are secured,

wood batten to internal grp, then rail screwed onto the batten.

hope this helps.