I guess you don't get what you pay for ?! Coming apart in 3wks. That's pretty impressive. See what their return policy is like !!!

Some of us like to color match the boat(white shade/white hull) If you know anything about colors white is much more reflective and has less heat absorbtion.

I understand your agony Luv-N-It........... Paying more than twice as much for a similar product (OUCH !!!). One will learn to shop around. Look before you leap !

Hotbeek,
I hear ya. I thought I did check out everything I could. Probably, should have done the post like Outlaw did. Oh well, lesson learned. Just havin' fun. Not tryin' to be a smart A$$.

I'm happy with my purchase. I just don't want to see my fellow boaters get ripped off, that's all.

Yes, white does reflect better, my the red makes my boat better. Heck, I should charge admission to come aboard and have a view of the animals.....

You're too funny !

I didn't really look around till I saw this post. I ran a search for Anchor Shade and pulled up this site.

I saw the pics of the umbrella and thought it would be nice for the 11 month old son. He'll be needing some good shade and I don't want him to sit in the cuddy.

I didn't mean your boat would look like a circus tent. But my boat would if I didn't go with white. Boat graphics are purple,yellow and magenta on a white hull. I didn't have much of a choice.

I understand. My son is three yrs old. We used it alot Fri & Sat. It has been in the lower 90's in Ohio. Yesterday (Sat) I jumped in the water three times to cool off btwn 4-5 PM. Darn it was HOT!!!

I told my buddy, I would email him, with the link for the umberlla for $89. My exact words were, "Learn from my pain!" He laughed and said, "Gladly!" Then I pushed his butt in the water.

Hope you have better luck with the one on the way.

I like to here other people with young kids getting out on the water to beat the heat. WI is pretty hot this weekend too. We have been getting more than our fair share of rain though. I suppose the umbrella would come in handy for that too. Have you criused(slow speeds) with your umbrella up yet ?

NO. I don't plan on doing it either. I figured it would put the war and tear on it. Every time I move, even for a short distance at idle, I take it down.

I love to boat with the kids. Have a girl 11 too. We get out as much as we can and try to stay on the water too. I'm surprised how well the boy is doing this year compared to last year. Man, he just loves being in the water! Sometimes, we can't get him back in the boat. Funny, but it can try the patience....

Boating has been the best! investment I have made into my family. Heck, it has helped with my wife and I getting along too. She take the boat off the trailer when we get to the water, and she puts the boat on the trailer when its time to leave too.

Get this, she is already saying bigger and faster!!!! Wow, what happend to the Harley? She says, forget it! This beats everthing!

It sounds like you've got a keeper for a wife. I plan on raising my kid(s) on and in the water. This is one vice I refuse to give up. Do you have any helpful tips for boating with kids/toddlers ?!!

Sounds to me as if you are a great dad. Best advice I can give you, spend time with your kids in the water. If the anchor is down and they are in the water, get in there with them.

You know as well as I do, they are going to mock mom and dad a lot. If you enjoy water skiing, tubing, or what ever they see you doing, at some point and time, the kids are going to try it too. Hopefully, they will enjoy it as much as you do. If they don't, don't worry about it (water sports). As long as they are on the boat with you and splashing in the water, they'll enjoy it. They will remeber the memories of the family being together laughing and smiling and having fun throwing old dad off the tube while mom is driving the boat paying you back!!!!!

My girl does not like to tube or do any of those water sports. But, there is a tree that overhangs the water we swing off of, and we'll do that until we cannot do it any more. Heck, the boy wants to try it already (he sees dad and sis doing it). He is not big enough yet. But the day is coming.

I hate seeing families out there not getting along and fighting at the dock or on the water about stuff. Its stupid. Remeber, those kids are not going to like that. So what, put a ding in the boat. Its going to happen. I hope it doesn't happen a lot, but that is part of boating. I hate seeing parents telling their kids get out there on the water and stay off the boat for a while... ya know. Kids should not be a pain the butt. We should enjoy their presence.

That is my advice. Get in the water with them and have fun. Buy little gadget and toys they can use to play in the water and with the water!!

On a side note, I have a question for those of you that already these umbrella type shades: How do the four corner straps attach to the boat...Any drilling?

No. You don't need to drill any where or add any attachments for securing the umbrella. There are straps w/loops that attach to you mid cleats and transom cleats on each side.

I will say that a dude tied up to me one day with the anchor shade, added attachments, and secured his umbrella that way. Why? I don't know. He said he had his anchor shade for three years...never any problems.

I think if you treat it with care, as with anything, and DON'T ride with it up, it will last.

But, that is only one opinion of life under the BIG TOP!