Poor man's bimini

[Knipet]

6'x6' mesh sunshade purchased on Amazon supported by the radar arch and two boat poles in the rod holders. Offers decent shade and stows well.

 

[DayBreak]

Looks great. What a great idea to cover the cockpit when you want to be outside relaxing in the cockpit and stay out of the sun too. Never hurts to have an extra boat hook.

 

[South of Heaven]

Nice job. You saved yourself $1000!

 

[bridma]

Love it. For years on my 22 C-Dory I used a patio umbrella, small home made stand for the base, and bungy cords. Got lots of complimentary remarks at the FH gatherings. I did end up going with a Taylor Made Sunshade, it gave a bit more coverage. I have never been a fan of cockpit enclosures. If I wanted another room on a boat, I would get a bigger boat. I'm ok saying this because I have my hard hat on.

Martin.

 

[curioustraveler]

C-Sharp,

That's excellent. I made a prototype this weekend of almost the exact same thing. Used some 3/4" electrical conduit instead of boat hooks in the rod holders and I don't have a radar arch so I'm planning to fasten to the grab rails.

I used an old bed sheet for the prototype...my measurements were a little off but I think the idea will work well. Anything you would do differently? I plan to fasten a length of PVC across the front edge of the canvas to give it some support. Think this is necessary?

 

[Knipet]

Anything you would do differently? I plan to fasten a length of PVC across the front edge of the canvas to give it some support. Think this is necessary?

The mesh shade cloth has grommets on the corners and I use some of those ball bungees to quickly attach. Used them to buffer the tension at the boat pole corners. I thought of using some of those collapsible tent poles, but found it not to be needed. Flaps a little in the breeze, but certainly not worth carrying more stuff. Folds & stows nicely, and who knows when I might need an extra boat pole?

 

[hardee]

Steve, That looks great and for those of us who live in the PNW full time, we can also recognize it as a great freshwater collection system :lol: Nice job, practical and easy. I hope it gets a lot of use this summer. Thanks for sharing that.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon