Picking out our air conditioner at Home Depot

Paradise Village Marina has historically been very well protected from storms.  Since the marina lines one side of a long narrow tidal estuary, there is natural protection from storm surge.  And the low land and beach between the estuary and the ocean is lined with large hotels that provide a natural wind break.

Picking out some inexpensive fabric at the local fabric store- we decided to start with cheap fabric for a first go at a sun cover- if we like it we can make it again in sunbrella

That wind protection is a double-edged sword, though.  The same buildings that help to block storm winds also block afternoon breezes.  This means that the already hot and sticky conditions feel even more stifling.  Walking down the dock on a sunny afternoon can feel like fighting through a hot blanket under a heat lamp.

We used the dock to measure and cut the fabric

One of the best ways to fight the heat is simple – just add more shade.  But like a weight loss plan, just because something is simple doesn’t mean it’s easy.  Adding shade to the boat means the construction of a custom awning.  And because we’re staying aboard in the marina, we need it to be suspended above deck so that we still have the ability to walk around topsides.

Attaching the fabric pieces to each other with seam stick before sewing them together- Angie elected to do this inside on the floor of the salon because it was too hot to be out on the dock in the midday sun

Good thing that Angie is a whiz at sewing.  Armed with her trusty Sailrite industrial-strength sewing machine and about 500 square feet of fabric, Angie dove into the awning construction project with zeal.

She became a master of sewing straight lines & dealing with gobs and gobs of fabric during this project

After about a week of more than 8 hours a day of sewing, cutting, and sizing, Madrone is sporting a custom sun cover with side shades.  And Madrone’s crew is sweating a little bit less!

Finished product minus side panels on the aft cover which Angie added later (& we didn’t get a picture of…)