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2015 2275 GCW - How To Create More Stern Shade?

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Tooncrazy

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We're taking delivery of a 2275 GCW: http://www.benningtonmarine.com/Pontoon-Boat.php?id=859 next month and we're really looking forward to it!

We're especially pumped about the stern rear facing lounges which we intend to use mostly while anchored and just relaxing, reading etc. We know that the bimini is not going to create much shade over the lounges so I'm looking for ideas on how to create some additional shade when we would like it.

Thanks for any input!
 
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I've seen some use one of those portable umbrellas. Can't remember who. The cheaper option is to turn the boat so the sun is coming from the bow...
 
I have the 2013 version of the same boat and I'd like to add more shade as well. I think more than over the top of the stern loungers, I'd like a way to add shade to the sides as needed. Sometimes we hang towels, but something more robust would be nice. I've been thinking about getting some custom canvas panels done that could snap into the existing snaps on the side of the boat and then swoop up to the bimini rails. That would also be nice for sitting out a storm on the boat without having to deal with rain coming in the windy side. That's probably not an issue for most, but it is for me where I camp on it a lot. I've also thought about getting a piece done that would stretch out to poles at the end of the boat that could be removed quickly and easily. Kind of like this shade cover but higher: http://www.overtons.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?pdesc=Pontoon-Playpen-Shade-for-22-24-Pontoon-Boats&i=87658

Here's a shot of my loungers in the mid-day summer sun. Just getting it the right angle does wonders. I sometimes make a point to park it with the stern facing west in the afternoon for even better shade. 

pineview-24th-2.jpg


Looking forward to hearing others ideas on this. 
 
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Nick - 

I wonder if you could use your mooring cover just like that Overton's one...  Start by snapping the bow end of the cover to the bow of the boat (like normal) but instead of snapping the sides, just throw it up over the top of the bimini.  Then however it comes down by the rear loungers, just snap the snaps that would normally be the very end of the cover to the nearest snap on the side of the boat, stretching out the cover as far as you can.  I wonder if that would work. 

It probably wouldn't provide much side protection, but in a storm, if you anchor off the bow of the center toon, your boat should swing directly into the wind.

If you are lucky enough to get this to work somehow, you probably could sleep in the front half of the boat and still keep the dew off.

Look who I'm talking to.  You slept in your boat in an ice storm WITHOUT a cover.
 
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Interesting thoughts. I also still have the not so great boat cover that I got from that company I won't mention. Somehow I was able to keep it after winning the credit card dispute. Maybe I could put that to work... One issue I see is that I'm not anchored in open water when sitting out storms so the boat won't always be pointing into it. We're always beached and inevitably the storm seems to always come from the side. Case in point:

bowns-canyon-3.jpg


Nice and cozy on the port side while the captain's chair is soaked. The other problem is getting whatever it is not to flap around like crazy. Probably would have to be customized.

But the more I think about it, maybe I could actually get what would amount to being similar to a full camper enclosure but in 4 separate pieces that could be deployed as needed. One piece of canvas for each side, one on the front and one on the back. Easy to tuck away when not needed and easy to put up to deflect that low angle sun in the afternoon or that sideways rain in a storm, or even wrap the whole thing up completely. I think it could be done with just a few pieces of aluminum rail added that could be removable. Here's a mockup:

side-shade.jpg


The red would be one of the side canvases and the green would be the added aluminum rail that would be removable. probably with a couple thumb screws or something. With that aluminum in place, it would be pretty wind resistant and pretty easy to then add a rear panel and/or front panel if needed. Just use the existing snaps and add some to the bimini rails. Maybe even make them zip together, put in window panels and so on. Man, I am liking this idea... anyone have any idea what I might expect to pay for those 4 panels custom fabricated?

Sorry to derail from the topic of overhead shade. I'm really interested in that too! 
 
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Does anyone know if the Bennington full camper enclosure is separate panels like I'm talking about above, or one big piece? 
 
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bcpnick said:
Interesting thoughts. I also still have the not so great boat cover that I got from that company I won't mention. Somehow I was able to keep it after winning the credit card dispute. Maybe I could put that to work... One issue I see is that I'm not anchored in open water when sitting out storms so the boat won't always be pointing into it. We're always beached and inevitably the storm seems to always come from the side. Case in point:

bowns-canyon-3.jpg


Nice and cozy on the port side while the captain's chair is soaked. The other problem is getting whatever it is not to flap around like crazy. Probably would have to be customized.

But the more I think about it, maybe I could actually get what would amount to being similar to a full camper enclosure but in 4 separate pieces that could be deployed as needed. One piece of canvas for each side, one on the front and one on the back. Easy to tuck away when not needed and easy to put up to deflect that low angle sun in the afternoon or that sideways rain in a storm, or even wrap the whole thing up completely. I think it could be done with just a few pieces of aluminum rail added that could be removable. Here's a mockup:

side-shade.jpg


The red would be one of the side canvases and the green would be the added aluminum rail that would be removable. probably with a couple thumb screws or something. With that aluminum in place, it would be pretty wind resistant and pretty easy to then add a rear panel and/or front panel if needed. Just use the existing snaps and add some to the bimini rails. Maybe even make them zip together, put in window panels and so on. Man, I am liking this idea... anyone have any idea what I might expect to pay for those 4 panels custom fabricated?

Sorry to derail from the topic of overhead shade. I'm really interested in that too!
Click to expand...
That's a nice idea. I could sew those! No sewing needed, just scissors!

Instead of new aluminum rails, you could add new snaps at the Bimini top...
 
I got a bid on my 4-panel enclosure that could be put on in pieces as needed. $2100. I think I'm going to pull the trigger. 
 
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