Aft Cockpit Shade Ideas

[Tim Powell]

Well, the Admiral wants shade on the aft cockpit. I seem to have several options. However, I would love to hear from the folks here on any ideas or other thoughts. I use a winter cover from the hardtop to the aft cover board that is attached to a track on the hardtop. Therefore, a San Juan Bimini or the like in a fixed laced shade structure will not work nor do I permanently want to limit my ability to see the aft deck from the bridge. I see numerous stretchy type pieces of what look like canvass that attache to telescoping poles that sit in the aft rod holders. Frankly, they look kind of cheesy but I may have no other choice. I also see a permanent either manual or automatic roll out shade. That looks even worse and cost close to 10K. Bad option, I think. Any ideas would be appreciated. I prefer something I can run with but if it needs to come down to run, so be it. Any and all ideas are welcomed. No umbrellas please. I already have two Brockabellas for my own fishing needs for those old enough to remember who Lou Brock is.

I did cut down the cabinets just opened the thing right up. I made a mistake by cutting down the port side down i have put it back now there are controls in the box just to low frankly could use the tackle storage...and it looks better.

I have had new cushions made with much more flair and leg risers and back inserts no pick available. Planed ones gone made a lot of comedic difference.

 

[Tim Powell]

Well, the Admiral wants shade on the aft cockpit. I seem to have several options. However, I would love to hear from the folks here on any ideas or other thoughts. I use a winter cover from the hardtop to the aft cover board that is attached to a track on the hardtop. Therefore, a San Juan Bimini or the like in a fixed laced shade structure will not work nor do I permanently want to limit my ability to see the aft deck from the bridge. I see numerous stretchy type pieces of what look like canvass that attache to telescoping poles that sit in the aft rod holders. Frankly, they look kind of cheesy but I may have no other choice. I also see a permanent either manual or automatic roll out shade. That looks even worse and cost close to 10K. Bad option, I think. Any ideas would be appreciated. I prefer something I can run with but if it needs to come down to run, so be it. Any and all ideas are welcomed. No umbrellas please. I already have two Brockabellas for my own fishing needs for those old enough to remember who Lou Brock is.

I did cut down the cabinets just opened the thing right up

 

[JLR]

Checked out the sun fly strut poles yesterday. The carbon fiber ones are much, much lighter than the stainless poles. Carbon fiber poles run about $1500 for the pair. 1K for the pair in stainless. I don't mind spending the money for either but one has to wonder what the markup is on these pretty simply poles. Once I get the shade out of the way, I then need to figure out what kind, configuration and quantity of aft seating I can add to the cockpit. I will not be adding a fighting chair for simple bottom fishing but a table with four chairs seems pretty boring to me. I wish I could find some sort of more comfortable seating to make the cockpit a more usable area.

 

[oldboat]

if you are just looking for the poles mcmaster has fiberglass tubes. the three inch OD tubes have a
half inch wall and a ten footer is is $167. they have smaller diameters and shorter lengths.
i didn't check amazon.

 

[JLR]

Thank you.

 

[carolinacoast]

marine bean bag stackable chairs?
https://www.ocean-tamer.com/
https://e-searider.com/

Never tried a marine product, but sat in a 2 person version in a basement over the holiday that was shockingly comfortable.
Teens love them in center consoles that lack seating.
Would need to be high enough for older knees to get one back up and not look cheezy. not boring anyway.

 

[Cricket]

John, you could add a platform to the front side of the tackle lockers creating a mezzanine or porch, maybe without cutting down the current lockers. Not sure how the Oceans were built as the cockpit bulkhead and locker might be one structural piece. Somebody must have already done some mezzanine additions for similar Oceans that has molds. Btw, mezzanines don't have to be crazy expensive, especially if you stay away from adding refrigeration. They really change how the cockpit is used for the better.
Also, we had aluminum sun fly poles made, pretty cheap, think SS is a waste.

 

[Cricket]

Does this Ocean 56 have the same cockpit as yours?

 

[SEVEN]

If you are doing a shade take a hard look at how high it is walking under it.Going to post a pick that the aft shade doubles.
you will notice that a portion of the shade is not removal. There is a bunch of room under the aft shade we do raise it from time to time by just putting two poles in the aft rod holders.
i do not have a pick or that. There is a welding shop next door he made them for about 30 bucks.
These picks are a bout 2 years old a lot of changes have been made but not to the shade. I have really enjoyed it simple to put up with the two poles in the back hardley ever do it because so much room
with it down. the room is due to the extension. Takes about 2 min to take it down about the same to put it up. Do not use it moving.

Did you add that hard top. If so who made it?

 

[JLR]

Does this Ocean 56 have the same cockpit as yours?

Sure does.