Umbrella for cockpit

Hick

Member
Sep 21, 2016
44
Chicago
Boat Info
1998 SeaRay Amberjack 370
Engines
twin 7.4 Mercruiser crusaders
I am planning on making a "patio" umbrella to cover the rear end of my cockpit. I have a 1998 370 Express, with a large and wide cockpit. I already have a bimini fore and aft of the radar arch. The boat has built in rod holders on each side. I'm thinking of conduit or something similar in the rod holder extending above the gunwales approx. 4 feet. Then a piece of sunbrella fabric which zips to the bimini top by the radar arch across the entire width of the boat, where my drop canvas would otherwise attach, and then attaches somehow to the 2 conduit pipes sticking out of the rod-holders. I tried this using 2 adjustable "oh shit" adjustable poles in the rod holders. I was not able to get the sunbrella taut, and then a big south wind came along and bent the oh-shit poles in half. How appropriate was that :(. Any one ever try something like this?
 
what about using one of those 'tailgate tents'?.....easy to put up and take down and easy to store....

cliff

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I have seen something similar to what you are describing. The one I saw used flag pole holders that were surface mounted and poles extending. The were then strapped down aft similar to the way a bimini would attach.

I was thinking about something similar for my boat in which case I wanted to use a pole with a grommet pin at the end that would hold the cover. I would use poly webbing to strap from the grommet pin to a rear cleat. The flag pole holders should keep the pole from swinging side to side and the rear strap would hold down the canvas from the lift of the wind.

I will see if I can find pictures that I saved if needed.

-Kevin
 
I thought about something like that for my old boat but it gets too windy on hot summer afternoons around here.
 
A friend who had a early 2000's sundancer took a hole saw and cut a hole in the center of his factory fixed pedestal mounted table that allowed him to insert a wood handled pool /patio umbrella into the hole & pedestal. The umbrella slid all the way down the hollow pedestal which kept it from flopping over. The only cost was making a hole and buying an umbrella. It looked great and worked terrific. When driving the boat or when not in use he would take the umbrella out and leave it wrapped up on his cockpit floor in front of the stern seat.
Hope this helps
 
Yes....I added this Sunfly setup last year. We absolutely love it. Quick to put up and take down. I lucked out by finding it for sale by another forum member. It holds up in decent wind too.
 
Yes....I added this Sunfly setup last year. We absolutely love it. Quick to put up and take down. I lucked out by finding it for sale by another forum member. It holds up in decent wind too.

Can you send me pictures of the mount on the gunnel top. This is on my to do list (that keeps getting longer) for next year. I was going to mirror the zippers at the back of the sunshade and extend back like that.

-Kevin
 
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We had a sunfly made with the adjustable stainless poles but they added tethers from the poles to the cleats on the transom to pull in the opposite direction. It slides into the track where the fastback canvas would slide into . Any canvas shop can do this just add tethers to it and you should be fine
 
Can you send me pictures of the mount on the gunnel top. This is on my to do list (that keeps getting longer) for next year. I was going to mirror the zippers at the back of the sunshade and extend back like that.

-Kevin

The pic I posted is the best pic that I have. I installed 15 degree rod holders. I think the typical rod holder is 30 degrees. This zips into the slant back zippers on the sun shade.
 
We had a sunfly made with the adjustable stainless poles but they added tethers from the poles to the cleats on the transom to pull in the opposite direction. It slides into the track where the fastback canvas would slide into . Any canvas shop can do this just add tethers to it and you should be fine

I have the same tethers a well but haven’t had to use them. The poles alone keep enough tension in light wind, 10mph.
 
The pic I posted is the best pic that I have. I installed 15 degree rod holders. I think the typical rod holder is 30 degrees. This zips into the slant back zippers on the sun shade.

Sounds good - I will look for some 15 degree holders - originally I was looking for 10 degree flag pole sockets but could only find 25 degree (which I thought was to much of an angle) or 10 degree surface mount and I wanted to keep the surface flush.

I really the the Sunfly/Makefast but the cost for the mounts and pole is fairly high and looking for something more reasonable.

What diameter poles did you use - was originally thinking 1" with a 7/8" extendable section with spring clips?

-Kevin
 
i think you should really try and find the stainless adjustable poles, you won't be happy with any other material and I'm sure it won't hold up in weather either.
with the adjustable poles you can drop it down a notch to block the sun if needed or have a light rain run off. just my .02
 
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How about using an Aluminum extendable boat hook for the poles ? Available at West Marine or similar. Can be extended from about 4' to 8-12', seems to be approx. 1 " in diameter which would fit in rod holders. Awning line or small ring could be placed on hook end of pole. The one I have is pretty sturdy which I think would hold up in breezy conditions. Just thinkin'......
 

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