Patented marine sunshade keeps it cool

SureShade LLC, Philadelphia, Pa., has announced final acceptance of the company’s U.S. patent for the arched roller canvas shade assembly, a hands-free system that uses a boat’s existing t-top, hard top or bridge as a platform for rolling out additional shade coverage. The assembly’s framework is self-supporting and doesn’t interfere with fishing, boarding or docking activities. This patent is the latest in a series of marine sunshade patents earned by SureShade.

The arched roller system complements the overhead structure (radar arch or hardtop), acting as an extension of the boat design. MasterCraft showcased the arched roller sunshade at the 2011 Miami International Boat Show on the MasterCraft 300 pleasure cruiser. “When the canvas is retracted, the arched roller rests beautifully along the curves of the unique glass hardtop on the MasterCraft 300,” says Dave Ekern, director of product and marketing strategy. While SureShade originally designed the arched roller shading system for pleasure cruisers, more sport fishing boats are adopting the design.