A comparison of the clear design advantages of SureShade boat shade systems vs scissor style shades for OEM and aftermarket
With so much time and effort spent carefully engineering every detail of a new boat design, you want to be sure to choose the highest quality components that have market-proven functionality for a marine environment.
While some marine suppliers may opt to simply adapt a product for marine use, SureShade set out to invent a new design that is specifically built for the marine environment. Our patented telescoping sunshade systems have clear design advantages over temporary or residential adapted products for both factory and aftermarket installations.
Market proven shades
Since industry introduction in 2007, followed by the first factory debut in 2009, SureShade has transformed how the industry integrates sunshade into new and existing boat designs. They didn’t just introduce a new product – they created a new product segment.
Today, nearly 150 boat models carry SureShade as a factory option or standard feature, and installations span thousands of boats worldwide for both factory and aftermarket.
Widely considered an industry leader with a market-proven boat shade system, SureShade also has clear design advantages for OEM and aftermarket over alternative “scissor” or “shade on a stick” systems now trying to enter the marine market.
The advantages start with the core design: SureShade is a telescoping sunshade system specifically built for a marine environment and excels in both functionality and aesthetics when compared to “scissor” shades that simply apply existing residential awning design to marine.
SureShade’s unique U-shape framework configuration ensures the shade’s weight is evenly distributed throughout the hardtop structure for balanced weight distribution that ensures the boat’s center of gravity and performance are not affected by the weight of the shade. On scissor shades the framework and weight is concentrated on the aft end of the hardtop structure and can potentially affect the boat’s center of gravity as well as its propulsion performance.
SureShade extends canvas using a patented telescoping framework design, a patented roller system and sturdy cross members designed specifically for a marine environment. The cambered cross components match curves of a boat and require no support poles – even at 10 ft. (3 m) widths and 10 ft. (3 m) extensions. Mid cross-bar support and cambered roller eliminate canvas sag – tested to withstand winds up to 50 MPH. These features are functionally and aesthetically more advantageous than extending canvas using a “scissor-arm” mechanism with a design similar to residential style awning systems.
From an OEM integration standpoint, SureShade’s ability to conform to boat curvature allows for flexible boat design, factory/aftermarket installations and enhanced aesthetics that make the shade a natural extension of the boat. Cambered cross members, including roller, can be integrated in lower cavity space for better integration, rather than accommodating the full unit at end of the hardtop.
Featuring “intelligent control” electric shade operation, SureShade’s new ATF-SG “Silent Glide” shade operates with 85% less noise and 80% less power consumption. ATF-SG is now available to all OEMs at the factory or upgrades for existing clients.
SureShade vs “Scissor” Shade – Design Comparison
SURESHADE
TELESCOPING SUNSHADE SYSTEMS DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR MARINE ENVIRONMENT
“SCISSOR” SHADE
APPLYING EXISTING RESIDENTIAL AWNING DESIGN TO MARINE
SHADE OPERATION
Electrically operated with silent glide and “intelligent control” technology.
Also available with manual operation.
Electrically operated with silent motor.
FRAMEWORK DESIGN
Canvas is extended using a patented telescoping framework design, a patented roller system and sturdy cross members designed specifically for a marine environment.
ADVANTAGES:
Mid cross-bar support and cambered roller eliminate canvas sag – tested to withstand winds up to 50 MPH.
Cambered cross components match curves of a boat and require no support poles – even at 10 ft. (3 m) widths and 10 ft. (3 m) extensions.
Shade is extended using a “scissor-arm” mechanism – a design similar to residential style awning systems.
DISADVANTAGES:
Longer extension lengths / wider widths may require additional support poles.
Insufficient canvas support may result in canvas sag.
Lack of cambered cross components may detract from overall aesthetics.
FRAMEWORK WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION
Unique U-shape framework configuration ensures the shade’s weight is evenly distributed throughout the hardtop structure.
ADVANTAGES:
Balanced weight distribution ensures the boat’s center of gravity and performance are not affected by the weight of the shade.
All the weight is concentrated on the aft end of the hardtop structure.
DISADVANTAGES:
Weight concentration at the aft end of the hardtop can potentially affect the boat’s center of gravity as well as its propulsion performance.
OEM INTEGRATION AND AFTERMARKET
Ability to conform to boat curvature allows for flexible boat design, factory/aftermarket installations and enhanced aesthetics.
The shade is a natural extension of the boat.
ADVANTAGES:
Cambered cross members, including roller, can be integrated in lower cavity space for better integration.
Refits and aftermarket installations require little modification.
Boat hardtop designs must accommodate full unit at end of the hardtop.
Limits flexibility in boat design.
DISADVANTAGES:
Additional fiberglass laminate required for structural support.
Boats must be designed around shade making refits and aftermarket installations difficult or not possible.
For more on SureShade’s design advantages over scissor style shades,
download our SureShade vs “Scissor” shade comparison.
