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!

As you know Back Cove Yachts is associated with Sabre Yachts. Sabre Yachts started life in 1970 building sailing yachts and continues to build sailboats from 36 to 45 feet in length to this day. And so, I have plenty of opportunities to speak with sailors about power boating and power boaters about sailing. In my most simple explanation of the differences I say that "sailing is all about the journey and power boating is about the destination." Of course there's more to it than that but it's a good start wouldn't you agree?

So as the Back Cove 34 comes to life one of our priorities has been the comfort of the cockpit seating because when one reaches the destination one is going to be sitting around in the cockpit enjoying what boating has to offer. Pictured here is the new aft cockpit seat. For 33 connoisseurs you will know that the 33 seat was straight across the beam of the cockpit from the transom door to the port side coaming. This new seat as seen here on the designers computer screen is an L-shaped seat with storage below. This cozy corner is one that I know that I would try to grab before anyone else gets a bright idea about sitting there.