Lifeline Cushions & Netting

What Are Lifeline Cushions & Netting?

Lifeline cushions and netting are two closely related categories of sailing safety and comfort accessories, each designed to work with a boat's existing lifeline system — the wire or rope rails that run along the perimeter of a sailboat's deck. Together, they transform a bare structural element into a more protective and comfortable barrier for everyone aboard.

Lifeline netting is laced between the toerail and the lifeline wire, closing the open gap that would otherwise allow crew members, children, pets, or equipment to slide overboard. Taylor Made and other marine accessory manufacturers offer knotted mesh solutions that fit boats with single-lifeline configurations. As the experts at Spinsheet note, lifeline netting is a valued part of a vessel's safety protocol — it helps keep children, pets, headsails, and crew members on board, offering invaluable peace of mind on the water.

Lifeline cushions, sometimes called perimeter lifeline cushions, serve a dual purpose: they protect the lifeline wire itself and provide a comfortable backrest for crew sitting on the rail — a common position when hiking out to balance the boat while sailing upwind. These tubular foam cushions thread directly onto the lifeline wire and are sized to cover the working sections of the perimeter.

Why They Matter on a Sailboat

Lifelines are one of the most important passive safety systems on any cruising or racing sailboat. Adding netting and cushions enhances their usefulness without modifying the structural rigging. Netting is especially popular on family cruising boats and "liveaboard" vessels where children and pets are regularly on deck, as it adds a physical barrier against accidental falls through the gap beneath the wire. Cushions, meanwhile, make long offshore passages more comfortable for crew who spend hours sitting on the rail — and they also reduce abrasion wear on both the lifeline wire and crew clothing.

What to Look for When Shopping

• Material durability: Look for UV-resistant, weather-proof materials like marine-grade nylon or polyester. Quality netting made from these materials can last 5–7 years even in harsh tropical sun.
• Fit and coverage: Lifeline cushions are typically sold in lengths ranging from 3 to 6 feet, so measure your boat's perimeter carefully before ordering. Netting is usually sold by the foot, and because it expands when opened to its full height, you'll need to purchase more collapsed length than your final installed length.
• Construction quality: For netting, look for knotted diamond mesh with double strands along the top and bottom edges for maximum durability. For cushions, closed-cell foam covered in abrasion-resistant woven polyester — rather than bare foam — will resist moisture, sun, and wear far longer.
• Ease of installation: Both products are designed for DIY installation. Lifeline cushions simply thread onto the wire; netting is laced into place using leech line or zip ties.

Top Brands in Lifeline Cushions & Netting

Taylor Made is one of the most recognized names in marine accessories and a go-to brand for lifeline cushions. Their perimeter lifeline cushion line features a patented design where the lifeline threads through the center of closed-cell foam wrapped in abrasion-resistant woven polyester — a construction that prevents rotation, resists rot, and cleans up easily. Available in white and blue (with Sunbrella® covers on the blue versions), Taylor Made cushions are backed by a 5-year guarantee and are available in multiple lengths to suit most sailboat configurations.