Sane prices for boat curtains

[LittleSister]

Am I the only one that has no curtains? Why do you need curtains?

I find them advantageous to reduce light levels aboard for daytime sleeping: either an afternoon snooze, or a serious catching up of sleep if I've been awake most or all night (for good reasons or bad!).

At night they reduce the loss of heat from the boat, in dark anchorages and moorings reduce general light pollution and improve the view from my own cockpit and from others' boats, and underway stop light from the interior spoiling my night vision.

Keeping them closed when the boat is not in use also reduces the UV damage to the interior (possibly of less concern to those whose boats are younger than mine).

 

[James_Calvert]

Am I the only one that has no curtains? Why do you need curtains? To me they are as superfluous as cushions on a sofa.

I'm of your opinion about the curtains. Just look twee to me.

Our boat has grab rails over the windows in the saloon where we sleep, so easy enough to drape a tea towel or something over them if we need to block off a light outside. And for privacy, putting the interior lights out works fine.

And I love being woken up by the dawn sunshine!

 

[Lucy52]

We have straps press studded underneath.

Thank you, John. I think that tucking them in may be the solution.

My boat is as older style, with mahogany cabin sides. I had considered hanging the curtains from hardwood dowels, and fixing another along the bottom of the windows to tuck the curtain in. The dowels fixed on blocks to stand clear. With dowels, I wouldn't be able to have pleated tops, that would need a curtain track.

 

[john_morris_uk]

Thank you, John. I think that tucking them in may be the solution.

My boat is as older style, with mahogany cabin sides. I had considered hanging the curtains from hardwood dowels, and fixing another along the bottom of the windows to tuck the curtain in. The dowels fixed on blocks to stand clear. With dowels, I wouldn't be able to have pleated tops, that would need a curtain track.

That would be work.

In another variation our daughter’s Pandora has curtain wires above and below the windows. I sewed small loops of binding into the seams at regular intervals and the wire threads through them. The curtains can then make an attempt to ruffle up as usual.

 

[Homer J]

Thank you, John. I think that tucking them in may be the solution.

My boat is as older style, with mahogany cabin sides. I had considered hanging the curtains from hardwood dowels, and fixing another along the bottom of the windows to tuck the curtain in. The dowels fixed on blocks to stand clear. With dowels, I wouldn't be able to have pleated tops, that would need a curtain track.

View attachment 121065

Our get o windows have an oval of material that matches the circumference of the window with two press studs on the top. There are two corresponding press studs on the top of the window frame and the “curtain” is detached when not in use.

 

[Lucy52]

Our Gebo windows have an oval of material that matches the circumference of the window, with two press-studs on the top. There are two corresponding press-studs on the top of the window frame, and the “curtain” is detached when not in use.

Yes, you could have knicker elastic sewn round the edge to hold them on, so no press-studs needed, the only problem is: It looks pants. Some narrow boats have round doughnuts that fit into the frame of the port lights, giving privacy and insulation.

 

[Daydream believer]

My cabin windows are fairly vertical & we found that fabric pelmets were just the right depth. Reasonably cheap & do not really need bottom restraint when in port.

 

[Gwylan]

I think the issue is the word 'boat' as always but I thought 1300 quid for a 33' boat a little much even with a pilothouse. Does anyone have any recommendations?

Reflective window coating.

That was what I wanted but my co-owner and the one with the sewing skills would not have it.

Did manage to remove a few of them over the years. Did the "there never was a curtain on there" a few times.
Never dared take the whole lot out.

Also never dared tell that if you were on the pontoon and stood at an odd angle you could see into the heads, if the light was on.
Do need them, for night sailing and strong sunshine. Otherwise they are a pain.

 

[Scapegoat]

if you can manage with rectangular curtains there are lots of online suppliers (google "online made to measure curtains") - choose your fabric, lining and size and you'll get a bespoke price. eg https://www.curtains-2go.co.uk

 

[Lucy52]

My cabin windows are fairly vertical & we found that fabric pelmets were just the right depth. Reasonably cheap & do not really need bottom restraint when in port.

I have found reasonably priced table runners in a suitable fabric which were the correct depth. They could be cut to width and the selvedge edge didn't need hemming. It would have been more difficult to make up for curtain poles, though.

 

[Daydream believer]

I have found reasonably priced table runners in a suitable fabric which were the correct depth. They could be cut to width and the selvedge edge didn't need hemming. It would have been more difficult to make up for curtain poles, though.

I have grooved aluminium curtain track fitted by the manufacturer & so standard curtain hooks are all that was needed. It acts as a trim to the ceiling lining as well as a curtain track. This holds the curtain very close to the window. Thus, it is more effective at holding back the light. Poles would tend to leave lots of gaps & not really be the thing - in my boat, at least.