One of the features we wanted to include on this boat was some type of shade over the rear cockpit for those hot sunny days while out on the water. Since the roof panel is neither straight or flat, some type of bracket or structure had to be fabricated. As seen in the photo above, we have nicknamed this structure the “Whale Tail”.

The “Whale Tail” accomplishes several things. First and foremost, it provided a straight, rear-exiting, unobtrusive pocket needed to house the retractable roll of shade cloth. It also provided a solid structure to mount a flip-down bracket (nicknamed “Shark Fin”) that the radar, sat compass, antennas, and aft cockpit lighting could be attached to.

Mounted directly under the “Whale Tail" utilizing the roof's handrails and using telescopic anodized tubes, we fabricated a support frame that could be quickly and easily pulled out when needed. And just as easy, be stowed away out of sight when not needed.

It's a quick and simple process: Pull the frame assembly out until the tubes snap into extended position. Then unhook retaining straps attached to shade cloth, pull shade cloth out and over the frame. Hook retaining straps to the frame and slide center support bar to desired position and enjoy. Reverse procedure to stow away.

Because of the height clearances needed for all this to work, the overall height of the boat exceeded highway legal clearances. So we designed the “Shark Fin” to flip over into the aft cockpit when trailering the boat.

However, when the radar mount is flipped over for road travel, it becomes necessary to secure the "Shark Fin" (and attached equipment) from bouncing around while trailering.

The rear handles, located on each side of the aft cabin door, serve this purpose and rotate up to secure the load. When the radar is flipped back up, the handles flip back down as a convenient grab rail.