Shutting out the baking sun

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lurob

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Summer's a-coming and that means baking sun here in the Med. We have a sprayhood and bimini which provide good shade from the sun overhead. However, we've yet to come up with a good solution to block out the sun when it shines at a lower angle. Last summer we resorted to jury-rigging an assortment of sarongs/towels etc using clothes pegs to attach them to the side of the bimini. These were reasonably effective but we'd like something purpose-made this year, something that doesn't blow away when the wind gets up. What do you all do? What material? And what's the easiest attachment method (our bimini does have zips on aft and side edges for attaching the cockpit tent)?
 
You have answered half of your question already.

I have started using a mesh product it's UV, rot & mildew proof. The bonus is that you can see through it. You'd need to make or have made panels using the mesh with a good 2"/5cm canvas surround. With half a zip on the top edge so you can attach to the bimini. Depending on the size, 3 or 4 reinforcing points on the lower edge that you can attach ties which then go out to the guardrail.
Hope you follow the idea!
 
Go to your local garden centre and buy some greenhouse shading. It keeps the sun out but lets the breeze through.Use the supplied clips and some bungee to position it where necessary. Cheap and cheerful.
 
Hi,

We did exactly the same as Jamesmar, went to a local diy shop come garden centre and bought what we called bird netting. The type of thick net they put over fruit bushes to keep the birds away. Cut it to size tied it to the bimney and guard rail and it worked a treat.

Stay cool!
 
We always carried two 4' x 4' pieces of Sunbrella with grommets every foot around the edge. We could attach these strategically as required.
The prevailing easterlies meant that at anchor for sundowners the sun was low over the stern so we would use our canvas 'squares' to keep the cockpit shady. They also helped with the water gathering activities.
I had short lengths of line in the grommets - nowadays I'd also have 'Holdons', a clever plastic clip for clinging to canvas, which would make it easy to attach the 'squares' to the existing bimini as required.
 
We used sumbrella strips for sides and back, had zips put in them and also onto the bimini. They reach about half way down from the bimini to the cockpit which keeps the sun out but allows air in. By the time the sun is low enough to go under the strips it has lost it's power. Depending on where the sun is we attach the relevant sides, which takes seconds. Also have put brass eyes in to the bottom of the strips and use bungy cord to keep sides down when there is wind.
Works well for us
 
Good afternoon:

Am working on the same problem myself at the moment.

Previously used a Sumbrelle awning zipped to the forward edge of the bimini and tied forward to the shrouds. This worked well but has now past it's sell by date due to sun damage.

Have had a quote for a new one at 300 TL (£100 +) but have been checking out the local DIY shop (Marmaris) where they stock several types black plastic netting which is very inexpensive (1.75/2.50 TL) per metre - availably by the meter x 6 metre (15 TL). Planning to buy some and stitch in some ropes to secure to bimini and shrouds leaving enough to drape over the life lines on the appropriate side. This will be cheap and fold up neatly for stowage.

I think this is similar to the material used to shield gardens and growing plants from the heat of the sun. It lets in the light but stops the heat from getting through. As it is netting it doesn't completely restrict your view.

I conducted a rough test and it reduces the temperature by about 10 degrees on the deck which should be worthwhile. Don't know what reductions the Sumbrella achieved but 10 degrees seems okay by me.

Cheers

Squeaky
 
Thanks for all the helpful advice. We've sourced some greenhouse shading stuff here in Lefkada, now we're working out the fixing arrangements.
 
lurob said:
Thanks for all the helpful advice. We've sourced some greenhouse shading stuff here in Lefkada, now we're working out the fixing arrangements.
Click to expand...

Today I took my bimini to our local car/boat/plane trimmers for re-stitching of all the UV weakened seams. Whilst it was with them I asked them to sew on a 50mm Velcro "soft part" - (Loops) around the sides whilst re-sewing those hems. I will cut out of blue polytarp some side curtains with the other(Hooks) part being easily attachable as it is self adhesive but also within the capabilities of a domestic sewing machine for more robust attachment. We also use an "Anchorshade", a large square umbrella with clip-on tie-downs, to stop the sun streaming into the rear of the cockpit or from forward when the sun is low in the sky but still very fierce.

Chas
 
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