SHADE ON THE WATER
Shade is a rare commodity on the water, and a little more is worth a lot if you can eek some out. These four cool products bring your sunny-side temp down. Best of all, they all stow away when you want that tan.
SLIMMSHADE From $249; slimmshade.com
This snazzy-looking shade is designed to mount in T-top rod holders. It comes in eight color patterns including solid black, navy or royal blue ($249.99), and special printed designs such as the US flag, mahi, and blue, orange or tan compass roses ($299.99). SlimmShade will even add your custom logo. The fabric is densely woven of a fastdrying polyester thread and can be machine-washed.
MOST LIKE: A pop-up tent, but easier to set up.
WORKS BEST ON: Designed for rod holders on a T-top or arch.
WITHSTANDS WINDS OF: Up to 10 mph
DIMENSIONS: 6 feet wide by 7 feet long
STOWAGE: It stores in a plastic map-case-style tube with a shoulder strap for easy carrying. Roll the shade snugly around the folded tent poles and slide it in.
COVERAGE: Covered the entire back of the boat from sunlight directly overhead.
INSTALLATION TIME: 10 minutes
HOW IT’S INSTALLED: The polyester shade is folded in thirds and rolled around segmented fiberglass tent poles. Shake out the sticks, allowing the elastic to pull the pole segments together. Feed the longest two rods up through the bottom of the outboard rod holders and into receiving sleeves sewn into each side of the shade. It may help to connect pole segments as they are pushed through the rod holder. Connect the elastic tie-down straps to the stern cleats. Snap the spreader pole in place between the long poles at the outer edge of the shade. Then tighten down the elastic to the stern cleats.
ADVANTAGES: It stows away easily in a 4-foot plastic map case with a shoulder harness. It’s easy for two people to assemble and mount, and stows away quickly.
DISADVANTAGES: Without exercising great care, the aluminum joints in the fiberglass poles can scratch the powder-coated finish. Wind can cause the shade to sway from side to side, diminishing steady shade. Unless you have rod holders on the front of the T-top, it’s only capable of aft mounting.
THE VERDICT: We liked the American flag look, its compact storage container, and the easy way it mounts to the boat. It quickly provided cooling shade. Practice would shorten the installation time, and it provided an excellent value for the price.