"Jere Lull" wrote in message
news:2008052413410716807-jerelull@maccom...
On 2008-05-23 12:56:12 -0400, Molesworth said:

.. I'm considering how to attach mosquito (and no-see-um) netting around
the bimini.

Either overall covering sewn to the material or attach with velcro.

Anyone done this?

Does it last?

Most put screening on the companionway and hatches, retreating indoors at
dusk. That's do-able.

Enclosing the whole cockpit effectively is between "more difficult" and
"nearly impossible", depending on how complex the area.

One thought I'd heard that might be do-able is to modify one of those
outdoor screened "tents" to fit.


You should have stopped after your first sentence. That's all I agree with.

Few things look dumber than a cockpit enclosed with mosquito/noseeum
netting. It's just so motorboatish! It's totally unnecessary and ugly. It's
lubberly looking. What's next for sailboats? Let's see. First enclose the
cockpit with mosquito netting with bimini/dodger effectively making another
roof over 1/3 of the boat. Then hang mosquito netting on the lifelines
around the circumference of the boat. Then put up a full awning and attach
some more mosquito netting from deck to awning. Then you might as well make
a rigid awning so it doesn't flap in strong winds. Voila, you get a second
story on your sailboat. That means moving the boom up several feet so it
clears. Never mind the loss of sail area. You mostly motor anyway. Now that
you have a second story you can load it up with patio furniture. But that
sun is so bright it's hot and unbearable so put a couple or three biminis
atop the second story . . . You get the picture. Look at some of the larger
motorboats and that's what you see. Enclosure atop enclosure. Absurd and
asinine!

If you can't stand a few bugs at night then stay home! Or, get a clue and
anchor for the night in an area where bugs are not a bother. A screen in the
companionway hatch and screens in the opening hatches are all any real
sailor needs. Lose the motorboat mentality!

Wilbur Hubbard