Cockpit blind.

[KINGFISHER 9]

Anyone added a cockpit roller blind? The sort that stops nosey people watching you eat your dinner and keeps the sun off your back when you're already peeling! To drop down from the back end of the flybridge to behind the transom seat in the cockpit. Probably very expensive from a boaty shop or manufacturer - would an ordinary household type one be any good? You could roll it up if it rains! Any other ideas?

 

[markc]

I've just had one made to replace a store bought shade sail I used last summer. It clips on the radar arch and then drops down and fastens onto the transom, using the same points for the main cover. I also have a zipped entrance for the passarelle. I had it made out of a commercial shade sail material that blocks 90% of the sun's rays. The manufacture cost was around £250 plus around £100 for the material. I'm heading to the boat later this week so I'll be happy to post a pic if you're interested.

 

[MapisM]

Not sure if this qualifies as a "roller blind", but it does what you are looking for, and it's very easy to make.
The only bit which is boat-specific is the retractable "U" shaped steel tube at the top, meant to extend the f/b overhang.
WIthout it, the shade would be more diagonal, hence interfering with the heads of anyone sitting in the sofa (which is what the bench astern actually is - just imagine it with some thick cushions, which are missing in the pic).
But depending on how far your f/b extends above the cockpit, it might be ok to attach the shade directly to the f/b border.

 

[jrudge]

I suspect the problem with a blind is 2 fold.

1. you need to have a back of the boat that is absolutely flat or have a shape that will not look silly having cut off the curves at their side . This I suspect is rare unless designed that way. Following from this what does it look like when stowed?

2. corrosion ( but many now have plastic mechanisms) .

It is a nice idea.

Absolute do it on their 50 foot boat - complete with side rails in the flybridge support.


https://www.5staryachts.com/new-boat-showrooms/absolute-yachts/50-fly/

 

[KINGFISHER 9]

The drop from the back of the flybridge would be pretty much vertical … it would need to be maybe 5 feet wide.
I'd upload a pic but the pathetic upload manager won't do the business!

 

[MapisM]

It is a nice idea.

Absolute do it on their 50 foot boat - complete with side rails in the flybridge support.

Not just in the 50' - see below.

I'm not sure to see why you think it's a good idea, though.
To me, it looks like a brilliant way to complicate the solution to a very simple problem, achieving also a less effective result in the process.

Zero interest to convince KF5 or anyone else that "my" solution is better, but which of the two alternatives do you think gives more shadow and privacy?
And that's without even considering the cost difference, or the need for fixed poles between the transom and the f/b - which I suspect Abs is actually using as a structural component, in order to skimp with the f/b strength.

 

[Portofino]

Fortunately wife’s a bit handy with a sowing machine .
It’s a plain bed sheet with corresponding zips sewn in and eyelets at the none zip ends .
With bungees you just tie them ( we have 2 down ) .
Primarily to shade the dog but doubles up as fulfilling the OP ,s request - at the dock .

One on the port side , other on the port front 1/2 .


Boat and indeed the sun move so you need a quick way of repositioning them , twos enough .




An alternative way but not very elegant

 

[petem]

I like your towels Porto

 

[AndieMac]

Not sure if this qualifies as a "roller blind", but it does what you are looking for, and it's very easy to make.
The only bit which is boat-specific is the retractable "U" shaped steel tube at the top, meant to extend the f/b overhang.
WIthout it, the shade would be more diagonal, hence interfering with the heads of anyone sitting in the sofa (which is what the bench astern actually is - just imagine it with some thick cushions, which are missing in the pic).
But depending on how far your f/b extends above the cockpit, it might be ok to attach the shade directly to the f/b border.

Yours not only works well but looks good to.

With big fly bridge over-hangs, travelling long distances at sea in adverse weather, the wind driven spray can accumulate in the cockpit area, we would put the same arrangement up to minimise the spray coming back aboard on the old Princess.

 

[petem]

Fortunately wife’s a bit handy with a sowing machine .
It’s a plain bed sheet with corresponding zips sewn in and eyelets at the none zip ends .
With bungees you just tie them ( we have 2 down ) .
Primarily to shade the dog but doubles up as fulfilling the OP ,s request - at the dock .
View attachment 79236
One on the port side , other on the port front 1/2 .

View attachment 79238
Boat and indeed the sun move so you need a quick way of repositioning them , twos enough .

View attachment 79237
An alternative way but not very elegant

Porto, what do you do if it starts raining? Do you have side covers that keep the rain out?

Also, do you have a tonneau for the winter?

 

[MapisM]

How come you are unaware of this, P?
It never rains on Itamas!

PS: interestingly, the following pic posted by BartW on his thread shows how even SL adopted the plain vanilla solution with no pillars, in their SD92.

 

[Portofino]

Porto, what do you do if it starts raining? Do you have side covers that keep the rain out?

Also, do you have a tonneau for the winter?

There’s a design advantage of nil radar arch .........
Radar arched sports cruisers like yours like the S/Skr Porto range , T 40 et al, the actual arch I’d tapered inwards not inline with the cockpit or as wide .
So with yours the bimini does not cover the lateral aspects hence your question I presume ?
Ans to part 1 of above is nothing as the Bimini virtually covers the lateral aspects .So no side covers are needed if if rains .

Further more the frame is on a fwd / back track so you can easily slide the whole thing fully erect Fwds / back to cover the saloon hatch .Remember no fixed narrow arch cutting it in two .

You can also like a cabriolet fold the whole thing down it sits Fwds under the screen .


Winter - we actually put the full set up inc a rear cover .
They ( Naples factory) are and have the easiest of fixations / zips , etc makes the flexicovers on the previous Sunseeker stuff look a poor relative in comparison. I can see why with a flexicover set up , most U.K. boats folks loose there patience with covers and end up migrating to a HT .

There’s a dedicated locker behind a mirror in the saloon for all the covers too .

Those sheets with zips are work in progress but so simple and effective for side shade .
You need to set them up to proved a breeze through under them too .

 

[Portofino]

How come you are unaware of this, P?
It never rains on Itamas!

Substitute in for “on “ ........

 

[petem]

There’s a design advantage of nil radar arch .........
Radar arched sports cruisers like yours like the S/Skr Porto range , T 40 et al, the actual arch I’d tapered inwards not inline with the cockpit or as wide .
So with yours the bimini does not cover the lateral aspects hence your question I presume ?
Ans to part 1 of above is nothing as the Bimini virtually covers the lateral aspects .So no side covers are needed if if rains .

You're not right there, the forward part of the bimini is on a metal frame, and it vertical. I attached to the radar arch which is pretty vertical and provides good shelter.

I was more curious about the area forward and aft of your canopy.

Our canopy is actually pretty neat, the forward section rolls up into a pocket above the windscreen and the rear section rolls up and is held in place with straps. Takes no time to open it all up and close it again. You S/S obviously had an inferior design.

The faff only occurs when you try and take the bimini down completely, which we never do.