Frequently Asked Questions
The Blackstick® Patented Technology carbon fiber pole designed for fast, durable, and hassle-free shade—because your family deserves the best boating experience. To have all your questions answered, click the button below!
How long do Blackstick® boat sun shades last?
We design our Blackstick® boat sun shades to last as long as possible. We currently have customers with our boat sun shades that have lasted longer than 9 years. Many of our customers upgrade their boat and purchase a new boat sun shade from us before theirs wear out.
For more information and to have all of your questions answered about our custom Blackstick® boat sun shade marine accessories, contact us TODAY! (HIGHLIGHT “contact us TODAY!” and link to “#contact”
What are your Blackstick® boat sun shades material made of?
Our Blackstick® boat sun shades are made of a perforated mesh canvas from Serge Ferrari.
For more information and to have all of your questions answered about our custom Blackstick® boat sun shade marine accessories, contact us TODAY!
How much does a Blackstick® boat sun shade cost?
Every Blackstick® boat sun shade is customized, so pricing does vary. Prices for our boat sun shades increase based on material used, boat size, etc.
For more information about the cost of our custom Blackstick® boat sun shade marine accessories, contact us TODAY!
What is the Blackstick® traditional boat sun shade?
The traditional Blackstick® rod holder boat sun shade uses rod holders as the receiving point for your carbon fiber poles, which then support the boat sun shade shade. The traditional boat sun shade can be used to cover the bow or stern of the boat.
For more information and to have all of your questions answered about our custom Blackstick® boat sun shade marine accessories, contact us TODAY!
What is the Blackstick® rocket boat sun shade?
Our Blackstick® rocket boat sun shade uses rod holders on your hard top. We insert elbows into the rod holders and then the carbon fiber poles into the elbows. The boat sun shade is free floating and doesn’t use carbon fiber poles in the gunnels, keeping your stern open for fishing.
For more information and to have all of your questions answered about our custom Blackstick® boat sun shade marine accessories, contact us TODAY!
Can I measure the boat sun shade myself?
Yes, you can. You will need the carbon fiber poles before you measure.
For more information and to have all of your questions answered about our custom Blackstick® boat sun shade marine accessories, contact us TODAY!
Where do you get your carbon fiber poles from?
We make all of our carbon fiber poles by hand in our Bradenton facility with materials we source in the U.S.
For more information and to have all of your questions answered about our custom Blackstick® boat sun shade marine accessories, contact us TODAY!
What if my Blackstick® boat sun shade doesn’t fit?
We will work with you to make the needed changes to ensure the best fit possible.
For more information and to have all of your questions answered about our custom Blackstick® boat sun shade marine accessories, contact us TODAY!
How long does it take to get my Blackstick® boat sun shade?
You can expect your Blackstick® boat sun shade in approximately 2-3 weeks, depending on the time of year.
For more information and to have all of your questions answered about our custom Blackstick® boat sun shade marine accessories, contact us TODAY!
How do I attach the Blackstick® boat sun shade to my hardtop?
We normally set stainless steel padeyes in your hard top with small sheet metal screws. We then put snap hooks on our shades to make putting up and taking down a breeze. If you don’t have a hard top, then we can also loop around any existing structure/frame with webbing straps.
For more information and to have all of your questions answered about our custom Blackstick® boat sun shade marine accessories, contact us TODAY!
How fast can I go with my Blackstick® boat sun shade up?
For bow sun shades, trolling speed. 5-10 knots.
For stern and rocket boat sun shades, 25-30 knots. Sometimes the sun shades can take more, but it’s the customers’ responsibility to operate within these guidelines. If it looks out of control, slow down or take it down. We won’t replace something broken from negligence.
For more information and to have all of your questions answered about our custom Blackstick® boat sun shade marine accessories, contact us TODAY!
Do you offer a warranty?
Blackstick® doesn’t offer a warranty as it’s impossible for us to know what is a manufacturing problem and what is customer negligence.
For more information and to have all of your questions answered about our custom Blackstick® boat sun shade marine accessories, contact us TODAY!
How long does it take to put up and take down my Blackstick® boat sun shade?
Our shades are designed with ease in mind. On average, you can put up or take down a Blackstick® boat sun shade in 2 minutes.
For more information and to have all of your questions answered about our custom Blackstick® boat sun shade marine accessories, contact us TODAY!
Do I need rod holders for my Blackstick® boat sun shade?
At the moment all of our boat shades require traditional rod holders.
For more information and to have all of your questions answered about our custom Blackstick® boat sun shade marine accessories, contact us TODAY!
Can I buy just the carbon fiber sticks?
Yes, Blackstick® will sell the carbon fiber poles by themselves.
For more information and to have all of your questions answered about our custom Blackstick® boat sun shade marine accessories, contact us TODAY!
Do you keep patterns of boats?
Blackstick® is the OEM manufacturer for several boat builders. We only keep patterns for those boat builders. Everything else is custom.
How easy are your boat sun shades to set up and take down?
Our Blackstick® boat sun shades can be put up or taken down in under 5 minutes.
How is the boat sun shade attached to the hard top?
There are two Blackstick® boat sun shade options.
1. Loop webbing straps around any available tubing.
2. Drilling small holes into the hard top to install stainless steel padeyes and fastening
them with small screws.
Do you have a universal boat sun shade kit?
We are in the process of developing a Blackstick® universal boat sun shade kit. Due to variations of rod holder placement and degrees on each boat, each shade is custom to the boat.
I live outside the Tampa Bay area, can you help me?
Absolutely! Here at Blackstick® we can send you incredibly easy instructions for taking all the measurements you need for your shade.
What makes the Blackstick® boat sun system different/better?
Our Blackstick® patented technology and our poles. Made of extremely light weight and durable carbon fiber, our poles break down in the middle allowing for easy storage and space saving (forever important on a boat!).
What we’ve accomplished so far
Since opening its doors 11 years ago, Blackstick® has proudly produced and delivered roughly 1,700 of the best marine boat sun shades to customers around the globe. That means we've also hand produced over 5,000 Blackstick® products making the boat sun shade industry easier one shade at a time. From Dubai to Hawaii, Tampa to Cape Cod, we're just getting started.With Blackstick® It's Easy As 1 - 2 - 3!
1. Fast Setup
Blackstick® marine boat sun shades are designed for fast and easy setup.The best things in life are free. The second best are things that are simple and easy. Space on the boat and time in your day are extremely precious. Our system can be put up or taken down in less than 5 minutes allowing you to do what you do best, enjoy the day. And to save space our lightweight poles break down in the center eliminating the storage problem.
2. Built Strong
Blackstick® quailty is our highest priority. Our carbon fiber poles are fabricated completely by hand using carbon made in the United States, furthering our American made values. Fabric for our shades is sourced from Serge Ferrari providing an extremely durable perforated mesh that doesn’t stretch and provides unparalleled protection from the sun. Together they form a completely custom product designed for one thing…being the only boat sun shade you’ll ever need.
3. Better Value
Blackstick® understands the value of a dollar and we appreciate all of our satisfied customers who made the Blackstick® choice. Similar boat sun shade systems can cost several thousand dollars. Boat owners understand that maintenance of their boats is a serious commitment, but your marine sun shade shouldn’t have to be. Our goal is making Blackstick® boat sun shades a cost-effective system for buyers of all lifestyles.
Top of the class Quality
At Blackstick we put the highest priority on quality. Our carbon fiber poles are fabricated completely by hand using carbon made in the United States, furthering our American made values. Fabric for our shades is sourced from Serge Ferrari. They provide us with an extremely durable perforated mesh that doesn’t stretch and provides unparalleled protection from the sun. Together they form a completely custom product designed for one thing…being the only shade you’ll ever need.
Simplicity and Ease of Use
The best things in life are free. The second best are things that are simple and easy. Space on the boat and time in your day are extremely precious. Our system can be put up or taken down in less than 5 minutes allowing you to do what you do best, enjoy the day. And to save space our lightweight poles break down in the center eliminating the storage problem.
Cost-Effectiveness
Shade systems can range from a several hundred to several thousand dollars. Let’s face it, boats cost a lot of money, but your shade shouldn’t have to. We focus on making the Blackstick a cost-effective system for buyers of all lifestyles.
With Blackstick®It's Easy As: 1 - 2 - 3!
1. Fast Setup
Blackstick® marine boat sun shades are designed for fast and easy setup.The best things in life are free. The second best are things that are simple and easy. Space on the boat and time in your day are extremely precious. Our system can be put up or taken down in less than 5 minutes allowing you to do what you do best, enjoy the day. And to save space our lightweight poles break down in the center eliminating the storage problem.
2. Built Strong
Blackstick® quailty is our highest priority. Our carbon fiber poles are fabricated completely by hand using carbon made in the United States, furthering our American made values. Fabric for our shades is sourced from Serge Ferrari providing an extremely durable perforated mesh that doesn’t stretch and provides unparalleled protection from the sun. Together they form a completely custom product designed for one thing…being the only boat sun shade you’ll ever need.
3. Better Value
Blackstick® understands the value of a dollar and we appreciate all of our satisfied customers who made the Blackstick® choice. Similar boat sun shade systems can cost several thousand dollars. Boat owners understand that maintenance of their boats is a serious commitment, but your marine sun shade shouldn’t have to be. Our goal is making Blackstick® boat sun shades a cost-effective system for buyers of all lifestyles.
Top of the class Quality
At Blackstick we put the highest priority on quality. Our carbon fiber poles are fabricated completely by hand using carbon made in the United States, furthering our American made values. Fabric for our shades is sourced from Serge Ferrari. They provide us with an extremely durable perforated mesh that doesn’t stretch and provides unparalleled protection from the sun. Together they form a completely custom product designed for one thing…being the only shade you’ll ever need.
Simplicity and Ease of Use
The best things in life are free. The second best are things that are simple and easy. Space on the boat and time in your day are extremely precious. Our system can be put up or taken down in less than 5 minutes allowing you to do what you do best, enjoy the day. And to save space our lightweight poles break down in the center eliminating the storage problem.
Cost-Effectiveness
Shade systems can range from a several hundred to several thousand dollars. Let’s face it, boats cost a lot of money, but your shade shouldn’t have to. We focus on making the Blackstick a cost-effective system for buyers of all lifestyles.
Every boat is unique and we're here to help determine which boat sun shade is best for you.
Our goal at The Blackstick is simple: provide easy, reliable, cost-effective shade to make your time on the water longer, cooler, and healthier. Our patented system does just that. Fill out the form on the right to get started. Future you will thank yourself, because your boating experience deserves only the best.
Every boat is unique and we're here to help determine which boat sun shade is best for you.
Our goal at The Blackstick is simple: provide easy, reliable, cost-effective shade to make your time on the water longer, cooler, and healthier. Our patented system does just that. Fill out the form on the right to get started. Future you will thank yourself, because your boating experience deserves only the best.