Aft Cockpit Shade Ideas

[JLR]

Well, the Admiral wants shade on the aft cockpit. I seem to have several options. However, I would love to hear from the folks here on any ideas or other thoughts. I use a winter cover from the hardtop to the aft cover board that is attached to a track on the hardtop. Therefore, a San Juan Bimini or the like in a fixed laced shade structure will not work nor do I permanently want to limit my ability to see the aft deck from the bridge. I see numerous stretchy type pieces of what look like canvass that attache to telescoping poles that sit in the aft rod holders. Frankly, they look kind of cheesy but I may have no other choice. I also see a permanent either manual or automatic roll out shade. That looks even worse and cost close to 10K. Bad option, I think. Any ideas would be appreciated. I prefer something I can run with but if it needs to come down to run, so be it. Any and all ideas are welcomed. No umbrellas please. I already have two Brockabellas for my own fishing needs for those old enough to remember who Lou Brock is.

 

[Boatsb]

Shade is for wimps. Up north you need the sun for warmth anyway.

Plus I've never seen a full cockpit shade that didn't make boarding harder.

 

[trogers]

Previous owner did an amazing addition to our boat and I just updated it.

A small bimini that sticks out the aft and protects our (also) new enclosure. It makes the aft salon area much more "room like"

It would be useless if you enjoyed fishing from the aft deck area, but else it is rather pleasant - IMO

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Best I have seen on a sportfish is the poles that fit in the aft corners to hold the top up. Saw a really nice one on a big Viking last year. The poles fit into a hole in the gunnel and are removable. Give total access to entire cockpit without ducking under the cover.

 

[Boatsb]

Using mid rod holders will leave an area open to board and should still shield the salon.

 

[JLR]

Thanks. Any more ideas?

 

[carolinacoast]

use stamoid , not sunbrella.

 

[Cricket]

John, what you're looking for is a "Sunfly". Attaches to the same track as your cockpit fly and then to poles in the corner rod holders. Really opens up the boat.
Ours is made from Stamoid but wish it was a lighter fabric like Dacron?
Also, it would be better if the poles were collapsible or 2 part because they're hard to store on the boat. Going to take care of that over the winter.
This link has some pretty good pictures as a start to your research.

https://www.canvasdesigners.com/sunfly

 

[carolinacoast]

Those are WAY cool.

 

[JLR]

John, what you're looking for is a "Sunfly". Attaches to the same track as your cockpit fly and then to poles in the corner rod holders. Really opens up the boat.
Ours is made from Stamoid but wish it was a lighter fabric like Dacron?
Also, it would be better if the poles were collapsible or 2 part because they're hard to store on the boat. Going to take care of that over the winter.
This link has some pretty good pictures as a start to your research.

https://www.canvasdesigners.com/sunfly

Thanks Holden. I will touch base with Mike when I am down there and see what he has in mind. It looks like a perfect solution.

 

[Fish Tales]

I have that same set up on my sportfish. The small cockpit folding shade has a track for easy removal to clean and re-stitch. Below is a second track for a sunshade that covers the whole cockpit. 2 large poles fit in the aft rod holders to support and tighten it. The cockpit shade fits just under the primary so I do not have to remove it to use the larger one. It is high enough so bottom fishing is not a problem. Same with cruising, I can walk around under it easily. When it is time to dock, just pop it off the 2 aft poles, I can see the entire stern, then back up after tight lines. Here in Florida it gets hot, shade is a plus.

Happy New Year,
Tim

 

[jim rosenthal]

This shade has two poles that extend from the back of the cabin top deck and keep it taut. It was worked well for 15 years. the canvas part has been done over at least once.

 

[bobk]

Maybe too tacky, but would a rsidential powered awning be adaptable to a boat? Sunsetter Awings?

Bobk

 

[Boatsb]

And the striped patterns are so classy.

 

[brico]

Even though I live and am boating in Pacific North West I opted to cover my cockpit completely for various reasons.

1.) I do not do serious fishing
2.) I want a nice shade in the space we spend most of the time when at anchor or simply sitting in the marina.
3.) I do not find it obtrusive for maneuvering the boat backward as I have pretty good feeling of the shape and size of my boat
4.) All people boarding and disembarking can bend a little to clear the frame and not hit it with their head.
5.) It provides good sun and rain protection for my teak deck in the cockpit
6.) I've got nice zippered opening for accessing the flybridge
7.) Flaps on the edges are base for further enclosure
8.) it has four anchoring points with two posts
9.) Cost me $1750 Canadian
10.) Covers the entire cockpit area following the back rounded shape of it.

Frame was built with 1 1/2" polished aluminum tubing which I eventually primed and painted in Hatteras off white colour to match the boat. Frame has slight camber to drain the water. It takes 20 minutes to attach with zippers and snaps. I believe it to be best addition to my boat.

The pictures I attached are not the best but will give you an idea. if you want more detailed photos let me know.

 

[brico]

When I said it takes 20 minutes to attach with zippers and snaps I meant the Sunbrella cover while the frame is permanently bolted at (actually) five anchoring points with two SS through bolts each and I have no intention of removing it.

 

[JLR]

I have that same set up on my sportfish. The small cockpit folding shade has a track for easy removal to clean and re-stitch. Below is a second track for a sunshade that covers the whole cockpit. 2 large poles fit in the aft rod holders to support and tighten it. The cockpit shade fits just under the primary so I do not have to remove it to use the larger one. It is high enough so bottom fishing is not a problem. Same with cruising, I can walk around under it easily. When it is time to dock, just pop it off the 2 aft poles, I can see the entire stern, then back up after tight lines. Here in Florida it gets hot, shade is a plus.

Happy New Year,
Tim

Tim - can you run at cruising speed with the canvass up and the poles in the rod holders? My local canvass fellow was concerned about the lateral movement of the poles athwartship.

 

[Fish Tales]

Tim - can you run at cruising speed with the canvass up and the poles in the rod holders? My local canvass fellow was concerned about the lateral movement of the poles athwartship.

Sorry, had the 5 day bug. Back at work, it is nice to relax a little.

These poles are as big as the rod holders, aluminum and thick. They do not bend, are one piece and there is room under the bridge seats to store them. Not like small camping tent poles.

I do run with my shade up some times. I have a 1/4 inch lanyard that slips over the point on top of each pole, and secures to the aft cleats. Keeps more tension on the cover. Sort of like camping set ups. However, if it is a long run, or just too windy, it comes down in under a minute, and back up in about the same time.

Takes longer to fold it up and shove it in the little bag, than to deploy it. If raining, it also has a D-ring in center to raise the middle up with the center rigger to shed water. But usually with the slope and tension, rain sheds to the aft and off. Do not think I have used that lift ring.

Just one more note. My 45 had a cockpit shade that almost served the same purpose. It attached to the bridge, and sloped to the aft cockpit and secured over the aft rub rail. This shade stayed on day and night to keep sun and weather off essentials, came off when time to use the boat. However, it also had to grommets on each corner to use as a daily sunshade with poles sort of same as above. Because it was used daily, it was the heavy duty enclosure material, so very heavy and not used very often as a cruising sun shade. The material on the 65 is the lightest material I could get, and is very easy to deploy, so used quite often. I have a heavy duty cockpit shade on order for when the boat is not in use.

Hope this helps,

Have a Blessed New Year
Tim

 

[JLR]

Thanks to all.

 

[Tim Powell]

Thanks. Any more ideas?

If you are doing a shade take a hard look at how high it is walking under it.Going to post a pick that the aft shade doubles.
you will notice that a portion of the shade is not removal. There is a bunch of room under the aft shade we do raise it from time to time by just putting two poles in the aft rod holders.
i do not have a pick or that. There is a welding shop next door he made them for about 30 bucks.
These picks are a bout 2 years old a lot of changes have been made but not to the shade. I have really enjoyed it simple to put up with the two poles in the back hardley ever do it because so much room
with it down. the room is due to the extension. Takes about 2 min to take it down about the same to put it up. Do not use it moving.