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Pro-Techt Mantis

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Bill Arden
1st Mate

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USA
83 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/24/2006 : 15:20:31

Hi, folks -

The Admiral would like a bimini, but I think it would be in the way. There seems to be a diversity of opinion on the forum (i.e., everybody's got their own idea

)

Does anybody on the forum have any experience with the Pro-Techt Mantis sunshades? Their literature promotes them as being useful for fishing, but it appears the product might be a good portable bimini substitute, too.

http://www.pro-techt.com, if you're interested.

Thanks for your opinions,

Bill Arden
Prana - C250WK #898
Apostle Islands, WI

Edited by - Bill Arden on 07/24/2006 17:07:13

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 07/24/2006 : 16:09:59

Hmmm...A portable bimini substitute???

How 'bout an umbrella hat!

Both cheap and portable.

Edited by - on

britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 07/24/2006 : 17:03:55

Bill, the url is incorrect, please edit the post and remove the /, at the end of the url.
it should be http://www.pro-techt.com

I would go for the bimini if you sail in areas as hot south florida, we would be toast were it not for ours. It's a must have in this area of the pond.

Paul.

Edited by - on

Bill Arden
1st Mate

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USA
83 Posts

Response Posted - 07/24/2006 : 17:09:11

Thanks for the correction

. The URL in the original post will now actually get you to the site.

We're in Minnesota, not Florida, but the weekend before last (95+ F, no wind) was making me wonder...

I DO like the umbrella hat, though

Edited by - on

Lightnup
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1016 Posts

Response Posted - 07/25/2006 : 17:17:56

My personal opinion...if you always only sat in one place maybe the Pro-Techt would be useful. But since you and your crew are probably moving around the cockpit with some regularity, I'd stick with a bimini for a more complete shaded area.

Correctly sized, I don't think the bimini interferes with cruising (actually enhances it) but racing - which I don't plan to do - is probably a whole different story.

IMHO,

Steve

Edited by - on

SEAN
Admiral

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USA
772 Posts

Response Posted - 07/25/2006 : 19:10:58

Hey Bill ,
We just bought "Anchor Shade" from west marine.
we love it sets up quick and comes down Quick.
Its 6'x6' and covers the cockpit nice.
We bought it on sale for $149 .

Edited by - on

Steve Raffel
Captain

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262 Posts

Response Posted - 07/25/2006 : 21:11:14

We have had an Anchor Shade for several years and like it too. The problem is it only works at anchor.

Edited by - on

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 07/25/2006 : 21:18:31

I love the shade!

Edited by - on

lcogge01
1st Mate

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USA
30 Posts

Response Posted - 07/28/2006 : 09:00:03

I really like the way this setup looks. I just want to make sure this is a picture of the West Marine Anchor Shade. The one on the web site does not look like your pic.

Thanks,

Lon

Edited by - on

SEAN
Admiral

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USA
772 Posts

Response Posted - 07/28/2006 : 09:57:02

the anchor shade is on page 701 of the 2006 w.m. catalog .
Ill take a picture this weekend of ours

Edited by - on

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 07/28/2006 : 16:59:58

Lon,
I had the Bimini made to fit at a local loft, the wife made the shade that zips to the front of the bimini and ties off to the side stantions.

Edited by - on

SEAN
Admiral

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USA
772 Posts

Response Posted - 07/30/2006 : 19:40:21

pics of the anchor shade
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d911b3127cce8b25687c955d00000016100BYt2rRo1Ysc
you have to pull the mainsheet over
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d911b3127cce8b256832951300000016100BYt2rRo1Ysc

tie the boom up
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d911b3127cce8b25697ed5c700000016100BYt2rRo1Ysc

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d911b3127cce8b25694554cc00000016100BYt2rRo1Ysc

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 07/30/2006 : 19:46:42

Nice looking anchor shade, Sean...Is that your big toe?

Edited by - on

mday
Navigator

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197 Posts

Response Posted - 07/31/2006 : 00:38:41

I'm with Tom!

In Arizona, maximum thermonuclear protection is a must! I added a cover over the helm and a zip on sunscreen for morning and evening when the sun comes under the bimini.

The forward portion folds up .... the rear part does not, but has a zippered opening to view the windex on top of the mast. Note the rear portion is also behind the boom and high enough to allow standing room underneath. Works great!

Max

Edited by - on

reuben
Navigator

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USA
202 Posts

Response Posted - 07/31/2006 : 07:36:20

My solution this season has been a light-colored hemp Tilley hat with medium brim. Combined with a good pair of prescription sunglasses, I've never been more comfortable on the hot/high glare days; when really hot, I dunk the Tilley in the lake before putting it on. We've considered installing a bimini, but truly oppressive heat waves (like the past week's) are anomalous in northern Minnesota. If we lived in Fl or Az it would be a top priority.

Edited by - on

SEAN
Admiral

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USA
772 Posts

Response Posted - 07/31/2006 : 18:16:36

ya thats me big toe .
We bought these floats that keep you just right in the water . I was getting yelled at ,the misses thought i would drop the camera .

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 07/31/2006 : 20:07:23

Bill,
Reading through their site, it seems that the Mantis is good up to 15mph winds, and they have a couple of pictures of folks in sail boats using them. Have you asked them what they recommend for sailboats? It would seem to be a pretty good solution for a small boat, easy to rig, easy to move out of the way, and easy to stow when you didn't need it. Not sure how much protection from rain it might give, but certainly for sun it looks very useful.

Like Reuben, I keep my Tilley hat close at hand, I learned that lesson a long time ago, and now with the advent of more skin on the top of my head, it's even more important to have around. My Tilley's been nearly around the world, I don't travel without it. Also, Tilley's have a built in flotation ring in the top of the hat, that both cushions your head when you bump it, and keeps it from drowning. I once lost mine over the side while racing my catamaran, finished the race, and was able to go back and find it floating about where I'd lost it (helped to be on a small-ish lake).

Edited by - on

Bill Arden
1st Mate

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USA
83 Posts

Response Posted - 08/05/2006 : 18:45:38

Thanks so much, folks - I've got enough to chew on to last me for the winter at least.

I like the Tilley had idea - I've got a winter one (courtesy of the Admiral, in fact), and a summer one sounds great.

Again, I appreciate all the help!

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 08/06/2006 : 21:11:54

A few years ago, my kids bought me a Columbia Sportswear hat that looks just like this. It has a mesh band around the top that allows heat to escape and air to flow through. On hot sunny days, it feels like you are wearing a portable air conditioner.

Edited by - on

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