mobocracy
Active Member
The sunshade which extends from our hard top is often just not enough shade over the cockpit seating area.
I've been tempted to have a custom bimini made which would zip into the spot meant for the camper canvas, using the usual folding type supports attached to the flat part of the rear gunwales. The advantage would be complete cockpit shade cover, it could be unzipped and folded up like any other bimini, and if I wanted to go all out, I could add side curtains for complete coverage.
But the other day when staring at the existing shade, I was wondering -- why couldn't a person just use longer bimini pole/supports with custom Sunbrella canvas to basically create a once-piece extended sunshade? Basically the stock setup, but extending further astern. I'm thinking anywhere from 2-3 ft extension to the rear, which would probably add just enough extra shade. It would mean no extra frame poles attached to the gunwales and a cleaner look. At worst, I might have to move the lower support arms down a bit to provide better support.
I'd lose the option to have side curtains, but I doubt I would have them created to begin with because we have a covered slip and aren't generally out long enough at night for bugs to be an issue.
Are there any arch structural issues (besides possibly moving the lower support arm mounts further down the rear of the arch sides) that this wouldn't work?
I've been tempted to have a custom bimini made which would zip into the spot meant for the camper canvas, using the usual folding type supports attached to the flat part of the rear gunwales. The advantage would be complete cockpit shade cover, it could be unzipped and folded up like any other bimini, and if I wanted to go all out, I could add side curtains for complete coverage.
But the other day when staring at the existing shade, I was wondering -- why couldn't a person just use longer bimini pole/supports with custom Sunbrella canvas to basically create a once-piece extended sunshade? Basically the stock setup, but extending further astern. I'm thinking anywhere from 2-3 ft extension to the rear, which would probably add just enough extra shade. It would mean no extra frame poles attached to the gunwales and a cleaner look. At worst, I might have to move the lower support arms down a bit to provide better support.
I'd lose the option to have side curtains, but I doubt I would have them created to begin with because we have a covered slip and aren't generally out long enough at night for bugs to be an issue.
Are there any arch structural issues (besides possibly moving the lower support arm mounts further down the rear of the arch sides) that this wouldn't work?
