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Boat Shade Poles: Rod Holder Sun Protection for Any Vessel
A boat shade pole is a fixed-length pole that drops into your boat’s standard 1.5 inch rod holder and holds a shade panel taut with no drilling and no support straps. Sunfly Poles makes carbon fiber and aluminum boat shade poles in two fixed lengths, 6 ft pairs and 8 ft pairs, for boats from 23 ft center consoles to 100+ ft megayachts. Every pole is built by Canvas Designers in Riviera Beach, Florida, with nationwide shipping.
This is the hub for everything Sunfly. Below you will find the full lineup, a comparison against the other shade options, a size guide by vessel type, and links to the application page for your specific boat.
Why choose Sunfly boat shade poles
Sunfly poles win on the things that matter for real marine use: fast install, no drilling, offshore stability, and clean removal. Here is what sets the system apart.
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Strong and light. Each carbon fiber boat shade pole holds up to marine wind loads while staying light enough to deploy and stow in seconds.
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Fits standard rod holders. The 1.5 inch diameter fits the vast majority of standard rod holders, so installation is simple and secure with no modification.
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No support straps. Sunfly carbon fiber poles are rigid enough to stand on their own. The patented 316 stainless steel duo cam cleat and angled Delrin base inserts hold the shade securely with no straps.
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Custom finishes. Choose anodized or powder-coated finishes to match your boat’s canvas, rails, or hull accents.
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Fixed lengths, placed where you need them. Poles come in fixed 6 ft and 8 ft pairs. You pick the length that fits the boat and place the pair where you want shade.
How rod holder shade poles compare to other boat shade options
Rod holder shade poles beat the alternatives on install speed, no drilling, offshore stability, and clean removal. Here is the side-by-side.
For the full breakdown of every removable option, see our removable boat shade guide. For the head-to-head against a bimini, see shade poles vs bimini compared.
Boat shade poles by vessel type
The right pole length and configuration depends on the boat. Here is where Sunfly poles fit, and where to go for the full application page.
Center consoles and fishing boats
For center consoles from 23 to 40 ft, the 6 ft carbon fiber pair is the standard setup. It clears rod tips during a fight and pulls off clean for trailering. See the center console boat shade page for the full breakdown.
Sportfish convertibles
For sportfish convertibles from 45 to 80 ft, step up to the 8 ft carbon fiber pair, often with a topping lift pole for bridge coverage. See the sportfish yacht shade page.
Flybridge and motor yachts
For flybridge and motor yachts, the 8 ft pair plus a 3 ft or 4 ft center lifting arm handles water runoff across a wider span. See the yacht sun shade page.
Megayachts
For megayachts from 80 to 100+ ft, the 8 ft pair with a 4 ft center lifting arm and custom mounts covers the aft deck. See the mega yacht shade page.
T-top boats
On a boat with a T-top, a 6 ft pair extends shade fore or aft of the fixed top, mounting in rod holders the T-top does not reach. See the T-top sun shade poles page.
Boat shade pole size and fit guide
Ready to choose a finish and configuration? See the carbon fiber shade pole collection.
How to install Sunfly boat shade poles
Installation takes about five minutes the first time and under a minute after that. There is no drilling and no permanent hardware.
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Step 1. Secure the shade fabric to your boat’s hardtop, bimini, or T-top using the Sunfly stainless keyhole mount assembly.
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Step 2. Feed the tensioning line at the end of the shade through the custom Delrin top pulley fitting, then through the 316 stainless steel duo cam cleat on the pole.
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Step 3. Drop the pole into your rod holder, pull the shade taut, and lock the line on the cam cleat.
Takedown is the same in reverse, and the poles store flat in a WeatherMAX bag.
Built in South Florida since 1985
Sunfly Poles is a brand of Canvas Designers, a marine fabrication shop on the South Florida waterfront since 1985. The poles are designed and built at the facility at 1500 Australian Avenue in Riviera Beach, Florida, and tested in the same water our customers run: year-round UV, trade-wind chop, and tournament schedules that keep a boat in salt water 200 days a year.
A shade pole here has to deploy fast enough to rig between sets at the Silver Sailfish Derby or the Pelican Yacht Club Invitational, hold in the 4 ft seas that are normal off Jupiter Inlet and Palm Beach, and clear rod tips during a fight. Carbon fiber, 316 stainless hardware, and Soltis 86 fabric are built for exactly that. Every pole carries a 1-year limited warranty.
Frequently asked questions
Shop Sunfly boat shade poles
Sunfly Poles has supplied marine shade to boat owners and the trade for over 40 years through the Canvas Designers facility at 1500 Australian Avenue, Riviera Beach, FL 33404. Every pole is built for real marine conditions and ships nationwide.
Marine canvas shops and boat dealers can spec Sunfly Poles into builds and refits with wholesale pricing and shop-direct support. Boat owners shopping retail get help matching pole length and configuration to the vessel.
Browse the carbon fiber shade pole collection, or call (561) 848-2111 for a free estimate and help speccing the right system for your boat.