Fabric for boom tent?

[JBP-PA]

I have a boom tent made from white ripstop nylon. It's OK, but it transmits too much heat. Sunbrella is way too heavy, I don't want to store a big bundle of Sunbrella for the few times I use the boom tent. The current nylon goes into a tiny stuff sack. I'm looking for something light weight like rip stop nylon, but blocks sun/heat a little better. Any suggestions? An internet search found lots of mesh fabrics. SailRite has a variety of fabrics, but I couldn't find any useful page that listed respective weights.

I don't care about UV protection, it only gets used a few of the hottest days a year. I don't care if it's waterproof. Cheap is good.

 

[jviss]

You might try the canvas drop cloths one can get in Home Depot or Lowes.

I did a search and there are many high-tech reflective fabrics available.

 

[jon hansen]

white plastic tarp

under $20.00

tarps direct. com

mines 30 years old and in good shape

not yachty, who cares?

not me!

get two, their cheap

 

[dLj]

You can also do an inexpensive structure where your use two light weight nylon tarps with an airspace between them. Cheap PVC pipe can be used to create the space.

dj

 

[JBP-PA]

Excellent ideas. Thank you very much.

 

[SFS]

We had a rule that nothing came on the boat that wouldn't serve at least two purposes. So we used extra bed sheets sourced from a thrift store. They served as "blankets" on those cool nights where needed, or a "throw" to wrap up in if the breeze picked up during happy hour in the cockpit. On really hot days at anchor, they were boom tents. And while underway due east in the afternoon, they hung off the back of the bimini to keep the helmsman cool. We chose white for obvious reasons. Upsides: they were ultra inexpensive, easily replaceable, they folded quickly and stowed anywhere, and could be rigged from knotted corners with small lines. Downsides: they were not particularly lightweight, and they didn't look snazzy when deployed. It may be worth considering.

 

[JamesG161]

We used bungie cords on this one.

Jim...

 

[gulfcoastsailor]

I have been doing much the same thing.

TEMU.com
these are the Chinese guys killing competition on line. Some people are selling what are called “sail-shades” search outdoor living- all different sizes - lots of colors - some even grommeted and price? Check them out

 

[Project_Mayhem]

Have you ever thought to double up the ripstop nylon you have now? It'll keep the size down when stowed away. This might have superior cooling effects as the breeze is able to blow away some of the heat between the layers. Ive heard of a lot of cruisers using a shade over their cabin tops to keep it cool. That extra layer does a surprisingly good job as I found out when I had my boat wrapped

 

[JBP-PA]

Yep. Doubling the layers, possibly with an air gap as dLj suggested, is an option. I have not yet decided among the options above which are all viable. It's going to be a winter project.

 

[JBP-PA]

Here is the current one. You can see that it does not drape well and is too translucent.

 

[JBP-PA]

I'm also pondering cross beams. As it is, I can close up the front as shown, or I can open up the front to act like a wind scoop. Cross beams might enhance the wind scoop effect.

 

[gettinthere]

and take a look at keder track. you can mount it to the sides of the boom and slide the shade edge into the track on each side. a neat setup. find it at sailrite.