Umbrellas For Older/Smaller Boats

[SAB220]

I bought an offset umbrella for my 2004 220 boat last spring. For me the umbrella is definitely something you put on my lake boat, next to the grill/cooler and step over it until you get where you’re going on the lake (sandbar). I figured if I looked at the umbrella long enough an idea would come. Correct, the idea never came. The only idea that came was mounting a horizontal PVC pipe somewhere to accept the pole of the umbrella. I don't like that idea, messy, ugly, permanent.

There’s been forum discussions on umbrellas but they've been on bigger newer boats with removable ski pylons?? Cobalt also sells umbrellas for those bigger newer boats.
viewtopic.php?f=44&t=1399&hilit=umbrella

If I think about my ski pylon it pops up about 4 inches(?). I was thinking if I had a 14-16” Aluminum (AL), or SS, pipe that fit snugly over the pop-up pylon with 4 or 5 aluminum support legs welded (protruding) from the AL pipe that fit to the deck with angled feet for stability (like a xmas tree stand). This assembly might support the umbrella and its pole. The umbrella pole would then sit on top of the pylon inside the 15” pipe with welded legs that fit over the pylon. Concerns would be the weight of the umbrella sitting on top of the pylon might push the pylon back down, figuring out diameters of the pole and pylon (standardization), and the whole assembly would have a tendency to tip over because the pylon inside the pipe is not high enough to keep it in position. However, this assembly would be totally portable.

I know member slideruleracer (http://www.slideruleracing.com) has built umbrella parts for those bigger newer boats (see link above). I’m not sure if something can be done here. I'm sure he wants a sketch of the assembly to scale. I guess I’ll put the umbrella away till next season and look for AL tubes this winter. Thanks for listening

[Big Block Power]

I ask do you ever plan on using the ski pylon. If not remove it and put the umbrella pole in place of the pylon.

[SAB220]

BBP ya I know, we want to use the tower post for skiing... pulls you up easier. Not sure how to remove pylon will have to look

[ajcampen]

What about this contraption over the tower?

[Bfun220]

I have thought about this a couple of times.
Was thinking if you machine a pipe to slide over pylon . Then use an off set hole to pin it to the pylon. Insert umbrella and use another pin through umbrella and new sleeve. Sleeve OD would put weight on deck. Offset pin would keep sleeve from lifting off. Pin umbrella so that it does not lift off. This would probably make sure sense if I included a drawing, or maybe not.

[SAB220]

I think that's a fabulous idea with the pins/set srew. I agree you ...you need to get the weight of the umbrella off the pylon to the deck. I'm a little confused with the OD/ID of the sleeve and the OD/ID of the pipe I'm thinking the sleeve fits over the pylon and and the pipe fits over the sleeve (sleeve OD = Pipe ID) then pin or set screw the pylon and pin through the pipe to support the umbrella and XFR the weight to the deck. I don't have AutoCad anymore but maybe I'll try in MS-Visio

[slideruleracer]

Bfun, that sounds very similar to the concept i have sketched up in Solidworks.

I was going to take a crack at a prototype this winter - just not sure how much demand there might be... it's going to be a pretty sizable diameter tube to slide over the popup pylon...

I'm currently training for Ironman Arizona and between that, my fulltime job and keeping up with my incoming R-series umbrella holder orders, I've got a pretty full plate. The race is on 11/24, so after that I'll take on some of these side projects... I'm also working on a 262/282 grill mount accessory, and possibly even a joint project with Tig Tech on a flagpole holder for R/A/232/242/262 in the ski pylon spot (for anybody who didn't get the flagpole from the factory and doesn't want to drill a hole in their boat). Hopefully more to come!

[Big Block Power]

Bfun, that sounds very similar to the concept i have sketched up in Solidworks.

I was going to take a crack at a prototype this winter - just not sure how much demand there might be... it's going to be a pretty sizable diameter tube to slide over the popup pylon...

I'm currently training for Ironman Arizona and between that, my fulltime job and keeping up with my incoming R-series umbrella holder orders, I've got a pretty full plate. The race is on 11/24, so after that I'll take on some of these side projects... I'm also working on a 262/282 grill mount accessory, and possibly even a joint project with Tig Tech on a flagpole holder for R/A/232/242/262 in the ski pylon spot (for anybody who didn't get the flagpole from the factory and doesn't want to drill a hole in their boat). Hopefully more to come!

Sounds fun.. Good luck slide.

[SAB220]

I'm going to take some pictures and take some rough tape measure +/- 1/8 measurements (need outside micrometer) before I put the boat away for the season and then prepare a sketch in MS-Visio..and post it here for comments/revision then maybe slide can take it from there. The sketch will show if the design makes sense. I think the market is greater because if I had a 25/26 footer I'd probably buy an OEM or a aftermarket umbrella that fits the boat

[slideruleracer]

FWIW, SAB, I don't need any measurements for me - you and I have the same ski pylon.