Dockside Sunshade?

[Steve]

I have seen a number of boats in my marina that have a canopy suspended over the cockpit for the purpose of providing a little shade on hot days when the boat is tied up dockside. These "sun shades" appear to be not much more than a nicely finished square of sunbrella fabric (about 6' x 6') with some rigid framing sewn into the edges and attached to the boat with a series of lightweight line and some miscellaneous fasteners. I would like to check out getting one of these for my '86 Cat 30 SR and was wondering if anyone has seen a commercial supplier of these (i.e. a Web site) or has any other ideas on where I might get one that fits my boat/rigging.Thanks,Steve

 

[LaDonna Bubak - CatalinaOwners]

Island Canvas

You might head up to Island Canvas (east end of Tomahawk Bay)

 

[Bob Camarena]

Better than Plastic Tarp but still Cheap

If it's sun and not rain you want to shield, check out shadecloth from your local nursery or home store. It's easy to work with, requires no sewing and makes a nice sunshade, is inexpensive and more attractive than LaDonna's tarp. There are specially-made plastic clips that make attaching guy lines very easy. I use two telescoping poles (avail from West Marine and other chandleries)to keep it taut. One pole fits through a PVC pipe fitting lashed to the vertex of the split backstay triangle. The other I attach to the boom or, alternatively, to the leading edge of the dodger with guy lines to the stern pulpit and cabin top handrails. The dodger position allows me to sail with it up since you can see through it. It also doesn't flap as much in the wind as canvas. I have a professionally made canvas shade that only gets used when it's drizzly.