Tent/awning off boom

[wingssail]

This awning while anchored, another which goes under the boom for while sailing.

[Jim Jones]

Found some ripstop canvas with reflective materials bonded to it on one side.

I have to go check this out and speak to the manufacturers so not sure about this yet, but I am guessing the shiny/silver/reflective side would need to face towards the sun? If so that's out because I dont want to be a big shiny object spottable for miles around while laying at anchor. I mean, being a big sail boat laying at anchor I am sticking out no matter what I do, but to have a bright silver object glinting in the sun (where I am there is LOTS of sun every day - except in the rainy season) attracting attention is not what I want. I prefer stealth mode as much as possible.

How important would that reflective silver side be ? The tent deployed above the Saloon roof will lower temps in the saloon quite a bit - would the reflective material help that much overall ?

[Don C L]

Having tried fabric and vinyl and plastic, I have found that reflective material really helps, to the extent that it is definitely worth it.

[Jim Jones]

Originally Posted by Don C L

Having tried fabric and vinyl and plastic, I have found that reflective material really helps, to the extent that it is definitely worth it.

Thanks for your input Don.

Is it important that the reflective side face the sun or will add some reduction in temps under the tent if the reflective side is facing the saloon roof ?

I am assuming the reflective side should face the sun, but wondering if the reflective facing the saloon would stop infra red radiation getting through ?

[Don C L]

I found it is best to have the reflective side out. Try it with a "space blanket," if you haven't already, it's pretty dramatic IMO.

[JBP]

I made my current one out of white ripstop nylon. While it helps keep the cabin cooler, it is still pretty warm under the awning, warmer than complete shade. I think a more reflective surface would make a big difference. Then again the white let's a lot of light in whereas a reflective surface would be darker inside.
It would be interesting to try self cooling paint, which is white in the visible spectrum, but designed to radiate IR.
https://www.parc.com/technologies/self-cooling-paint/

[carlosproa]

White sunbrella is the way to go.

[OS2Dude]

If you have Lazy Jacks or a Dutchman, I like the idea of putting grommets along the middle of the tarp with a wooden rod (or collapsible boathook) underneath and tied to the boom at intervals. Run cord around boom, through grommets and then tie around rod. (Or vise-versa.)

Another variation would be a rod underneath the tarp, a grommet about a quarter the length in from each end and a length of line tied between them. Use the main halyard (or some other line) to lift the tarp via the loop of line.
We used a large tarp draped over the boom and bungee corded to the lifeline stanchions, but we just had a sail cover, no lazy jacks.

Whatever method you choose, be sure it will be able to stand up to a squall.

[Northstar]

Very similar to what HughV & wingsail have described . Mine was white Sunbrella, PVC supports inserted through sewn in pockets and supported above the boom with the main halyard. Three quarter inch PVC barbed thruhull fittings w/ hose port & stb side for filling the water tanks. Worked very well.

When it was time to go I would roll it up and lash it on deck to the wooden handrails.

[wingssail]

Originally Posted by OS2Dude

...Whatever method you choose, be sure it will be able to stand up to a squall.

It is important that you can take this awning down very quickly. Therew have been many times when we were hit by 50kt squalls and even oif the swning could withstand that we couldn't take the racket of it flogging and the risk of it tearing.

Ours can be quickly released at the front and then if just slides back along the boom and falls onto the stern deck.

[Scubaseas]

I run mine under the boom to avoid the lazy jacks. I use an open mesh sunshade laid on top of a paracord run tightly from mast to end of boom, works fine. So top down, boom, tarp then paracord. The corners of the shade are held on with bungee/shock cords, allows gusts of up to 30 knots without any worry.

[carlosproa]

I use white canvas material and a 3 piece light stainless steel tubing making a squared upside down u that runs fore and and aft at either side of the stainshion. I also added one drain hold to collect rain water. Is easier to run above the boom but you can also attach it to below the boom and lose about 1 ft in height.

White works for me - dark blue is the worst