My wife has always been quite worried that the kids being on deck was simply a disaster waiting to happen.
Our first boat did not have any lifelines so the kids were limited to the cockpit or the cabin. The strict rule has always been lifejackets manditory for all children who wanted to venture out of the cabin.

We were quite pleased to discover our O'Day 25 had lifelines connecting both the bow and stern pulpit. This would open up a whole new area of the boat that was previously unaccessible to the children. There was suddenly that much more room available to us. Of course there was still a safety factor that had to be considered so we took a look at lifeline netting. I wasn't took keen on the look but if it made my wife and the children feel more secure, then it was something that had to be done.

I measured out that we would need about 28 feet of netting. Then after some research on the internet came across a formula for calculating what I would actually require (Measured length x special number based on stanchion height + 10% for error). The formula stated I actually needed to order 40 feet. I drilled small holes in the toe rails and used UV resistant ty-raps to hold the netting securely in place. When all was done, there was exactly 1 foot of netting left over. I sure am glad I followed the formula!

The kids are no longer afraid to explore the bow of the boat and we feel much more comfortable allowing them to do so.