More awining development on our M17

Posted By: Bill Wickett, M17, Cambridge, ON
Date: 9/26/11 8:46a.m.

Report: outside forum guidelines

We have been using beach umbrellas for sunshades (and a bit of rain protection). They are flexible for positioning and tilt, and not too bad to stow. Drawbacks are the poles in the way, partial coverage, and care required when using and stowing so as not to damage the wands. Also need careful tying in and support at the base to be secure. The pointed tip does fit well into the fairlead on the main sheet block or the centerboard camcleat at the companionway. I think we will still keep one umbrella on board. We have also tried using an existing tent fly with flexible tent poles. This was just a jury rig so was fussy to rig, and the fly size was not ideal. Did like the side protection and height, but it is a little tougher to get out onto a dock, or move to the foredeck. Maybe with some mods, it would go up and down easier. Still may work on that. Saw and really admired Larry Yake's awning setup on Corndog that he posted here a couple of weeks ago. We thought about how to use our existing gear that was already on board. We have extendable boat hook that goes to 8' and a 6-12' adjustable whisker pole. Found a 9' x 7' nylon tarp at the local outdoor chain. So far have tried it with an ABS pipe extension slipped on the butt end of the boat hook, to get the 9' tarp width across the beam of the boat. The tarp has a centre loop, so we figured it could be lifted and tensioned with the main halyard. The adjustable poles let us tension the width of the fly very well. The tarp has loops on the corners, not grommets, so they hook into the jaws of the whisker pole, and on the boat hook around the hook end. I have to thread on line through holes on the ABS pipe extension. I want to leave the 4 guy lines can attached to the tarp to speed rigging and take down. Take down is uncleat the lines from the stern cleats or cabin hand rails, stow the tarp and lines in a bag, and put the poles back in their usual positions along side the cabin top rails. Pole extension will disappear into the port cockpit locker. Doesn't everything? We spent this past Sat. and Sun. on the boat. Anchored out on Sat. night, but it was too breezy to leave the tarp up over night. I don't think it is good practice anyway, having been surprised before by quick line squalls in the night. Back at the dock on Sun. we tried the tarp again with a few adjustments. Found it was very useful and easy to be able to tilt side to side for better shading. If we get a low sun angle from the stern, we have some light weight, quick dry towels that will clip across. Trying to use what we already have on board for more than one task. Maybe just a couple of chances left to sail, much less use the sun shade this year. Will keep "fiddling".