I am often asked how to rig a cockpit awning on both our Sabre and Back Cove boats and when I think I can get away with it I give my pat answer. “You have three ways to go and one is inexpensive, one is modest and one is higher priced (but very reasonable.” Of course that confuses everyone even more but hey, that’s boating. Always choices to be made.
I have seen simple tarps supported by poles inserted in the hawse pipes at the transom and tightened with line running down to the swim platform. I have seen versions like this one which I think are very elegant and in keeping with the look and overall profile of the boat as drawn by the designer. This one folds away against the aft end of the hard top when the crew wants to get a little sun and deploys when shade from sun or shelter from rain is required. I spotted this one this past weekend and thought I would pass it along. Any good canvas shop could design and install this style.
The high end of the three choices is a little company called Sure Shade. They do a great job on an awning that can be deployed manually or by electric drive motors mounted to actuators below or on top of the hard top. This is a terrific company and I love their work. We have seen units installed on boats as small as the Back Cove 29 and as large as the Sabre 52 Salon Express. Great folks and a great product.
So there you have it; shade at last!
