2021 Archive : WakeShade

Project Details

Fabric 1

WeatherMax 3D
Producer/Manufacturer: Keyston Bros.
Primary Use: Main Fabric

Fabric 2

Top Gun 9
Producer/Manufacturer: Keyston Bros.
Primary Use: Secondary Fabric

Fabric 3

YKK Zipper
Producer/Manufacturer: YKK
Primary Use: Hardware/Findings

Fabric 4

Hook and Loop
Producer/Manufacturer: Fasnap
Primary Use: Hardware/Findings

Fabric 5

Snap Fasteners
Producer/Manufacturer: Fasnap
Primary Use: Hardware/Findings

Engineer Name 1
Mark Peterson

Engineer Company 1
SugarHouse Industries

Design Name
Eric Sevy

Design Company
SugarHouse Industries

Architect Name
N/A

Architect Company
N/A

Fabrication Name
Mark Peterson

Fabrication Company
SugarHouse Industries

Subcontractor Name
N/A

Subcontractor Company
N/A

Graphics Name
Myntillae Nash

Graphics Company
Myntifresh Designs

Project Manager Name
Mark Peterson

Project Manager Company
SugarHouse Industries

Installation Name
Mark Peterson

Installation Company
SugarHouse Industries

Please describe the project specifications

Our customer was looking for a way to get more shade on their boat without needing to bring it into our shop for design, pattering, production, and installation. In tackling their request, we came up with a product that was more of a one-size-fits-all option. The Wakeshade is a bolt-on style shade solution that is designed to fit any tubular tower ranging from 1 3/4" to 3" in diameter, and extends the shade 66” past the tower to create additional shade on a boat, giving boat users more comfort and protection. It has adjustable mounting heights so it won’t block existing speakers, nor interfere with ski ropes or other accessories. The Wakeshade was designed for quick and easy installation without any customization. The customer can install, use, and store the Wakeshade within minutes. The Wakeshade can mount either above or below the tower ski eye, at the customer's preference, and requires no straps or support mounting down the deck of the boat. Not only does the Wakeshade keep you cool, it looks cool. With the modern and sleek look of the material and high-quality anodized aluminum parts, you’ll never know it wasn’t originally part of the boat.

The Wakeshade casing is a powder coated aluminum covered in Top Gun 9 material, and zips closed with a heavy-duty nylon zipper. This will keep the shade clean and dry while the customer is not using it or storing it. The frame of the shade includes stainless steel arms and supports that connect with stainless steel ball and socket hardware. The top attaches to the customer's tower with a 2" wide tower clamp and a carriage bolt track system. The material we chose to use is WeatherMax 3D, a high-strength canopy material, with long-term color retention and tear-resistant qualities. It has the ability to stretch, allowing the top to remain tight on the frame, but allows enough elasticity to be flexible while being used on the water.

What is unique or complex about the project?

At SugarHouse, we pride ourselves on only providing top rate products that protect our customers. That’s why we are always innovating new products in-house. Our boat department came up with the Wakeshade to give boat users more shade options and create more value for their boat. The Wakeshade is a very unique product and it required us to really think outside the box and get creative. For many years SugarHouse has been manufacturing bimini extensions that are customized to each boat. Utilizing our years of experience, we came up with a product that is really different from anything we have ever made. Wakeshades are designed to mount on many different types of wake towers in just a few minutes without any drilling or customization. Wakeshades are all hand sewn and assembled in our facility in Midvale, Utah, giving us the opportunity to ensure our work is the highest quality for each customer. The final product was able to fulfill our current, past, and future customers requests for a more universal boat top and we are confident this product will bring comfort and protection to users for years to come

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