Instead of curtains

stu9000

stu9000

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I battled my way through a painful learning process to make new boat curtains last autumn. Neither I or the sewing machine will be the same. And they've gone mouldy already grr. So I was think g of replacing curtains with pleated blinds. Ideally plastic. Simple. No bits of string required. Possibly black or grey but might be happy with white if thick enough.

41FDBXBXDXL._AC_.jpg

3 X IKEA SCHOTTIS - Pleated Blind, White - 90x190 cm: Amazon.co.uk: Kitchen & Home

I can't be the first to be fed up with condensation absorbing curtains.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

S
 
3 seasons ago I tried some IKEA rolltops for the salon.
Main issue is that (at least on my boat) window is slanted, so need a way to "hook" it down. Not particularly easy nor foolproof
Quality not that great, springs weakened after the first season.
No mould down here so no opinion on that.
Finally, not too dark tbh. Too much light getting in.
 
Our curtains are fastened by hooks top and bottom. I don’t know how many that comes to but it’s a helluva lot and a real fag to be dealing with. We leave our curtains in situ with a dehumidifier and although there has been occasion mould it has mostly washed out during the twenty years we’ve had them. The idea of a plastic blind is appealing, and would suit some boats where a cosy atmosphere is not needed.
 
stu9000 said:
........

Any suggestions?

Thanks

S
Click to expand...


Try lining your curtains if they are not already. I find it is the lining catches any moisture from the windows and in time will pick up spots of mildew but this is easily removed with the careful use of dilute bleach and the curtains themselves are generally ok.

My curtains have lasted a remarkable 25 years + but I have replaced the linings several times.

.
 
A couple of years ago I changed my curtains for fanfold blinds which I made myself as the boat has some non rectangular windows. Because the window is wider at the bottom than the top I made them so that they rest open at the bottom of the window and are raised to close them.
 
I have the original curtains, 36 years faithful service. A very natural colour with a rubberised backing. Rail and hook above and press studs at the bottom. Never have any mold problems and it is almost pitch dark when they are pulled over in the day (the addition of skylight covers solved that). I think the ability to get the boat as dark as possible is important when you have crew trying to sleep after a night watch. The other advantage of keeping the sunlight out is the inside does not bleach.
 
Think I'd keep the chocolate teapot and chuck the curtains.

Endless tension with the management over curtains.
I'd take them down. We would discuss it and I'd put them back.
A problem night sailing if someone below put the lights on.
Installed reflective film. Removed it the next time SWMBO was on board. The curtains were reinstalled.

Who is going to look in? They'd need counseling after a chance glance of an old man in his Calvin's

Oh and she would leave them bunched up so they got condensation and mouldy. But they were laundered and survived.

Another reason for not having a boat.
 
You could use a firm finish Dacron sail cloth .
Fan fold it so it concertinas up out of the way and fit a Velcro strap around .
Poppers in the corners secure it down .
Doesnt tend to get mouldy or hold the damp .
 
I went down the ikea blinds route.. 10 windows at £2 per window !
While they were pleated i pushed a needle and thread through the pleats at the edge on both ends as cabin sides slope . this would keep the blinds in place and allow them to run up and down the threadikea blinds.jpg
The pic was work in progress before i finished them.. I glued a 25mm D strip upvc along the bottom to give it rigidity and something to hold..
 
We've got cotton curtains on our boat - made by my wife several years ago, material from Ikea, only got a tiny bit of mould. Washed every 2/3 yrs and kept closed when not on board. But there is good ventilation with permanent vents in each cabin and I always leave the hatches cracked open.
 
doug748 said:
Try lining your curtains if they are not already. I find it is the lining catches any moisture from the windows and in time will pick up spots of mildew but this is easily removed with the careful use of dilute bleach and the curtains themselves are generally ok.

My curtains have lasted a remarkable 25 years + but I have replaced the linings several times.

.
Click to expand...
Thanks. I'll bring em home for a soak. I bought proper caravan mildew resistant liner so hopefully man enough to cope with dilute Bleach
 
Rappey said:
I went down the ikea blinds route.. 10 windows at £2 per window !
While they were pleated i pushed a needle and thread through the pleats at the edge on both ends as cabin sides slope . this would keep the blinds in place and allow them to run up and down the threadView attachment 111446
The pic was work in progress before i finished them.. I glued a 25mm D strip upvc along the bottom to give it rigidity and something to hold..
Click to expand...
Looks good!
 
I'm quite torn as I've still got a few curtains to make. I spent a fair bit o materials but it turned out a bit thin and I'm not the best seamstress. It's nice to have curtains for privacy in a marina or if I don't want to be woken at dawn. It's quite nice to keep prying eyes and bleaching sun out as well when not on board. I'm tempted to give the whole thing up as a bad job and go with Rappeys design.
 
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