Cockpit Shade Suggestions other than Bimini

[Fullbore]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

Bite the bullet, get the Bimini.
Bimini's are much easier to fit generically than a Dodger is.
.

We likie our big Bimini!

[Woodfall]

Well, the folks who live in some of the more sun-baked areas of the world have a solution to this. It seems that they secure a one man tent around their heads with a length of line... black docking cord seems to be the favorite, viewed from a distance.

[R Hutcheson]

Check out the UltraShade from Crawford Boating Products. It's a lot more expensive than a tarp, but the reflective material works great to keep the boat cool.

[George_SD]

Originally Posted by Fullbore

We likie our big Bimini!

Is that an Oceanis 323? Can you post some more detailed pictures of the attachment points for the bimini (specifically interested with starboard since that's where the lazarette opens up). I have the same model and struggling to find good mounting locations

[George_SD]

Originally Posted by Anto54

If you have a double or split backstay you may consider this solution. A square awning is supported by an aft pole permanently fitted to the backstays and by a moving pole you can tie in different ways to the shrouds (up) and to the lifeline (down) . While at anchor put the awning well over the boom. While running you can still mount it under the boom, as the main sheet is out the way. At different point of sail it should be possible to use the gadget on boats with a center-boom main sheet, but such boats invariably have a bimini. When not in use you may roll it and tie against the fixed pole, with little residual windage.

This is pretty cool

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by Letterkenny

I will get a Bimini custom made. I just want to have something in the interim while I think about how I want it designed.

If you just end up doing a tarp type of thing, I just ran across these for another project. SS D ring corners, many sizes..... 6 ft x 8 ft is only $18. Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/KANAGAWA-Rect...-garden&sr=1-6

[Fullbore]

Originally Posted by George_SD

Is that an Oceanis 323? Can you post some more detailed pictures of the attachment points for the bimini (specifically interested with starboard since that's where the lazarette opens up). I have the same model and struggling to find good mounting locations

I will when I get back into town.

[Fullbore]

Originally Posted by George_SD

Is that an Oceanis 323? Can you post some more detailed pictures of the attachment points for the bimini (specifically interested with starboard since that's where the lazarette opens up). I have the same model and struggling to find good mounting locations

Don’t know if these will help, but they’re what I have access to while out of town...

[George_SD]

Originally Posted by Fullbore

Don’t know if these will help, but they’re what I have access to while out of town...

Yes that does help. From the pictures it looks like you got it mounted right behind the lazarette opening, which means that the door won't lift fully and stay up unsupported. I was hoping to find a way to mount the bimini out of the way of that door, so it would still open up. My hope is to mount to the railing, but some folks are saying the distance of 110-116" is too much of a span for the bimini.

[Fullbore]

George SD, I bot the boat recently with Bimini as it is. When I get back in town and have chance to get to the boat, I’ll look into this further.

[osprey877]

I use what I believe is referred to as an "African Queen" awning. Its a rectangle of lightweight white dacron sail cloth about 12' wide and 20' long, with 5 x 12' aluminum poles running athwartships and evenly spaced along its length. The aft end attaches to the backstay and the forward to the back of the mast. The main halyard clips to a loop in the centre of the awning to prevent drooping. Each of the athwartship poles have a cord on the end that is attached to the lifelines on each side to stop it from flapping too much. I can set the height so I can have headroom on the sidedecks and it can be angled by adjusting the lifeline cords for when the sun is lower or as a windbreak. Not robust enough for high winds but I have used while motoring and is great when anchored. Is above the boom, so no good for sailing. When not in use, it rolls up into a 12' x 6" roll that slips into a canvas cover and is lashed to the coachroof handrail. I also have a bimini but it is too small when moored, but can be used when under sail.