I absolutely love the AnchorShade for about 2-3 days until it (inevitably) breaks and leaves me cursing like a mad man at the sand bar. I am on number 3 now, and would like to find a more reliable solution. A fixed bimini is not an option, nor is something that takes up a huge amount of space.

That said, can anyone recommend an alternative to the Taylormade AnchorShade?

Don’t know what your boat is and how ugly you’re prepared to make it (I think all tops are hideous ) but this looks like an alternative. Pretty similar design to the anchorshade but maybe a bit more robust......?


RR

I bought a 10' diameter beach umbrella for $70 off Amazon, use a couple plastic hooked bungee cords and works fantastic. Has telescoping pole and flaps with good grommets for anchoring. I use it as a bimini extension but would also work free-standing in exact same way as the anchor shade.

Have a bimini top made. Ours just lays on the engine hatch when not in use. When we park we can put the bimini up 3 times faster than we could the anchor shade.

love our anchorshade - no idea how we lasted this long w/out it. but yeah, it's a hassle and not very durable... but it works... for now at least.

Are you saying it breaks within the first couple of days of purchase? They are warrantied for a year, why not just return it and get another? At least you don't have to shell out cash for another one.

I have the anchor shade 3 and it is pretty well put together and stands up to some pretty strong winds.

Ill have to check out that Tucci shade. It looks like a viable option, if its not astronomically large to stow. I'm not terribly concerned with the "look" of the shade at the sand bar, and it will never be used underway. The amazon umbrella idea sounds solid as well.

As I said in the original post, a bimini is not an option; I absolutely will not put one on this boat.

They have warrantied the shade both times, but its still a hassle.

Anchor Shade is a great concept made out of s***y materials. I think I'm on number 4.

You said "fixed bimini is not an option" . Thought maybe a fold away would work. Good luck.

An Italian street cafe style beer umbrella is a cool and classy look. I might try on one of my boats.