Boat Sunshade Buying Guide

Boat sunshades are not always in use, but when they are, they turn the hottest part of your day on the water into the best part. This guide covers what to look for so you buy once and buy right.

Know your boat type

Most of our shades go on center console boats, but the same system works for bay boats, dual consoles, and bow seating. The shade tensions between two or more poles that drop into your existing rod holders, so almost any boat with rod holders is a candidate. Not sure about yours? Call or FaceTime us and we will tell you in two minutes. We also have pages on dual console shades, yacht shades, and shades by boat builder.

Get the size right

Coverage is everything. A shade that is too small leaves your crew baking. We build to your boat from a few simple measurements you take after your kit arrives, so the fit is exact. See how to measure your boat.

Two poles, four, or six

A two-pole shade covers the cockpit. Longer boats or fuller coverage step up to four or six poles, always in even numbers for a symmetric panel with a tight, clean fit. More in our sunshade pole guide and in carbon fiber telescoping poles, explained.

Already have track or poles?

Plenty of boats already run track under a hardtop or bridge overhang, or have poles the owner is happy with. In that case you do not need the hardware twice. We build the panel on its own, from $845 for shade only, with keder rope, grommets, snaps or clips sewn to match what is already on the boat.

Buy on quality, not price

Cheap shades fade, flap, and tear in a season. Ours use marine-grade Stamoid that is 100% waterproof and blocks UVB completely, backed by a 5-year warranty. In practice it lasts a good deal longer, because a Sunshade is deployed for a few hours at a time rather than left standing in the sun year round, and the shades we have built have run 10 years and more. Every panel is finished with 100% PTFE lifetime thread, double-reinforced sides, triple-reinforced corners, catenary-cut edges, and all-stainless hardware, built by hand in Florida since 1974. The long version: how a Sunshade is made and how to choose a sunshade company.

How fast can you run with it up?

Up to 25 mph is what we recommend. Above that, take it down: about 30 seconds, and back up in under 60. The why behind the number.

What it costs

A full kit with poles and mounts starts at $1,895. Shade only, if you already have hardware, starts at $845. Shipping is free anywhere in the United States, and there is no sales tax outside Florida. Full breakdown: what a custom boat sunshade costs.

In South Florida? We come to the boat

From Miami to Jupiter our technicians measure and install at your slip, with the Treasure Coast by appointment. See South Florida boat sun shades. Anywhere else in the country, read ordering from out of state.

Build your sunshade online in about two minutes, or call us at (561) 270-6922.