A cockpit shelter that gets around a dodger-defeating boom
Issue 106 : Jan/Feb 2016
Our San Juan 7.7 has a large mainsail and a low-sweeping boom that prevents the use of a dodger, but we’ve come up with a versatile alternative. We discovered the Sport-Brella in use by someone at the beach and I guessed that it would be just the right size to offer some shelter over the cockpit — and it was perfect.
We lay it along the toerail or stern rail to block out intense western sunsets, provide a little shade for lunch in the cockpit on hot days, or over the companionway for shade and shelter from the rain. It has multiple attachment points for bungee cords to secure it against sudden gusts and the center pole extends far enough into the cockpit to give it the perfect angle. It’s easy to stow when it’s not in use, or we can take it with us when the party moves to the beach.
Sport-Brellas are available from Amazon, and probably other vendors, at prices that range from $40 to $60. There’s even an XL version that’s bigger than the one we use.
Tim Sheie comes from a family of longtime Norwegian sailors and boatbuilders. Moving from a Sunfish, he found himself collaborating with fellow teachers/partners on rejuvenating Restauration, a San Juan 7.7, which now happily cruises and races around the Apostle Islands of Lake Superior.
Thank you to Sailrite Enterprises, Inc., for providing free access to back issues of Good Old Boat through intellectual property rights. Sailrite.com
