I have the traditional pre-woven octagonal-holed cane that you can buy from any
craft store. Still looks good after about twelve years.

We have had no problems with things in the locker going bump, although have
twice had crew members fall through the cane. Simply replace the old stuff.

We recessed the cane so that the retaining spline is on the back (inside) of the
doors and hence not normally visible in the yacht. We used following process:-

* Cut cane webbing about one inch oversize on all edges.
* Thoroughly soak cane (at least overnight) to make it real pliable.
* Squeeze plenty of PVC glue into groove.
* Lay cane in position, and at centre point of one side gently push in a
temporary short spline (One inch)
* Carefully stretch cane and put another temporary spline oposite.
* Repeat for other two sides.
* Using a push stick carefully force cane into grooves.
* Starting from one of the temporary splines, carefully force a pre-soaked
permanent spline into groove, working around door, removing temporary splines as
you go. I used a small wooden mallet to knock the spline into the groove.
* When glue & cane is thoroughly dry cut off excess can flush with batten. I
used a straight cutter in a spindle molder. A boc cutter was too slow.
* Wave a butane torch over finished can to remove all splinters.
* I then gave it three coats of diluted clear polyurethane. Be real careful to
sto runs happening.

We occasionally run a damp cloth over cane to keep it clean. Every two years we
wash with sugar soap and then turpentine and then recoat with two coats of
diluted polyurethane. (ie cane and door frames).

Fair Winds

Graeme
sv Leonidas