If the sun is running your crew off the water by noon, you have a few ways to fix it. Here is an honest look at the options for a center console, and where a custom sun shade wins.
Bimini top
A folding bimini is cheap and common, but it only shades a small patch over the helm, sags and flaps at speed, and wears out in a few seasons. Fine as a starter, limited as a real fix.
Hardtop or tower
A welded hardtop or tower gives great shade but costs many thousands of dollars, adds weight up high, and is a permanent change to the boat. Overkill for most owners who just want shade on demand.
T-top extension
If you have a T-top, a rear extension adds coverage behind it. Good, but still fixed and limited to the T-top footprint.
Custom sun shade, the sweet spot
A custom boat sun shade tensions between telescoping poles that drop into the rod holders you already have. It covers far more of the cockpit than a bimini, goes up in under 60 seconds, stows in seconds when you want sun, and costs a fraction of a hardtop. Patterned in 3D to your boat, it pulls tight and clean with no flapping.
What to look for
Marine-grade Stamoid fabric, which is the only fabric we build shades in and blocks 100% of UVB, plus PTFE lifetime thread, stainless hardware, and carbon or stainless poles. See the buying guide to match coverage to your boat.
Build your sun shade online, or call our Delray Beach shop at (561) 270-6922. Made in the USA since 1974.
