Company:
Sewlong | Custom Covers
Project Details
Fabric 1
WeatherMax 3D
Producer/Manufacturer:
Safety Components Fabric Technologies Inc.
Primary Use:
Main Fabric
Fabric 2
Custom Carbon Fiber Poles
Producer/Manufacturer:
OTHER
Primary Use:
Hardware/Findings
Fabric 3
FCT Mounted Shade Sail Hardware
Producer/Manufacturer:
OTHER
Primary Use:
Hardware/Findings
Design Name
Clint Halladay
Design Company
Sewlong | Custom Covers
Fabrication Name
Ivan Sanchez
Fabrication Company
Sewlong | Custom Covers
Installation Name
Mason "Crash" Meeks
Installation Company
Sewlong | Custom Covers
Please describe the project specifications
Our customers have always been asking for extra shade. "Can you extend our bimini over our motor hatches?" And for the longest time, we would say yes, but it will interfere with your tow rope and wake surfing because of poles or framework coming up from the boat. Our ah-ha moment came when we realized we could mount to the existing top, extending straight out the back. This will allow the tow rope to go underneath the extension and not interfere with any upright structure.
We then set out on a mission of designing and hardware that would mount to both 7/8" and 1" stainless tubing. Once we had a design that worked, we started researching carbon fiber poles and found local composite manufacture to help us design and build our custom reinforced telescoping poles.
We also wanted to make it easy to set up and quickly put away. Our pole receiver has a "D ring knob" integrated into the design that assists in holding the pole in place and tensioning the canvas. On the other end of the carbon pole, we designed a custom eye end that fits the #5 spurred grommet in the corners of the canvas—the sail covers from the end of the pole to the back of the bimini.
What is unique or complex about the project?
It was fun to design something to help families enjoy more time on the water on those hot summer days. Getting to learn about carbon fiber and how to work appropriately with the WeatherMax 3D to get the correct tension and clean look allowed us to further our knowledge and may lead to our next innovation.
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