You bought a catamaran for the space. The dual hulls. The stability. The promise of outdoor living that monohulls just can't deliver. But here's the cruel
irony most cat owners discover: that gorgeous forward deck, potentially the best lounging real estate on your entire boat, sits empty during the hottest hours of the day.
The tropical sun that drew you to cruising in the first place becomes the enemy. Your trampoline nets get too hot to touch. The foredeck becomes a no-go zone from
10am to 4pm. And that "outdoor living space" you dreamed about? It's really just an outdoor oven.
We heard this from our customers for years. After 38 years of making the world's most durable catamaran trampoline nets, we kept getting the same request: "Can you make
something to shade the bow?" We passed at first—shade systems weren't our specialty. But when the requests kept coming, we spent six months in R&D to build something worthy
of the Sunrise name.
The result is the Sunrise SHADE: a catamaran bow shade system that actually gets used because it's fast enough to be practical.
Why Most Catamaran Shade Solutions Fail
Let's be honest about why that shade you bought three years ago is still stuffed in a locker somewhere.
Traditional catamaran awnings require a halyard. That means climbing forward, running lines, and spending 15-20 minutes rigging everything up. By the time
you're done, you're sweating, annoyed, and questioning whether it was worth the effort. Tomorrow, you'll probably skip it.
Other systems require poles, complicated tensioning, and a degree in mechanical engineering to get right. They flap in 12 knots of wind. They sag after a few
hours. They look like an afterthought bolted onto your beautiful boat.
The Sunrise SHADE solves all of this with three core design principles: speed, stability, and style.
What Makes the Sunrise SHADE Different
Lightning-Fast Setup (Under 3 Minutes)
We partnered with NiteIze to develop a proprietary tensioning system that makes setup genuinely fast. Not "fast for a shade system"—actually fast. We're
talking wrap the jib, clip the corners, tension and done in under three minutes.
Why does speed matter so much? Because fast setup means you'll actually use it. Every day at anchor. Every time you drop the hook for lunch. That's the
difference between a product that transforms how you enjoy your boat and one that collects mildew in a locker.
No Halyard Required
The Sunrise SHADE attaches to your jib with a soft wrap and tensions from the corners. No climbing the mast. No running lines through blocks. No hassle.
Your halyard stays free for the optional hanging chair feature (more on that in a moment).
Built for Wind
We use architectural-grade HDPE shade cloth—the same material protecting luxury resort pools and high-end outdoor installations. This isn't sailcloth or
cheap polyester. HDPE allows wind to pass through the material, which means the Sunrise SHADE stays stable in winds up to 22 knots.
The material carries a 10-year manufacturer warranty. We back the complete system with our 5-year Sunrise warranty because we know it'll hold up.
Custom-Fit for Your Exact Model
Here's where 38 years of making custom catamaran nets pays off. The Sunrise SHADE isn't one size fits most. We build each shade to match your specific boat
model, whether you're on a Lagoon 450, Leopard 45, Fountaine Pajot Elba 45, or any of the hundreds of models we have on file.
A custom fit means proper coverage, clean lines, and a professional look that enhances your boat's appearance rather than detracting from it.
Dyneema Floating Tensioning System
We borrowed from our premium trampoline net construction to create our unique floating tensioning system using Dyneema line. This distributes load evenly,
prevents stress points, and keeps the shade taut without over-tensioning any single corner.
Thoughtful Details
We added a webbing loop underneath for hanging a Bluetooth speaker or light for evening use. There's also a loop on top if you want to optionally attach a halyard
to create a slightly different shade shape. These small touches came from real-world testing and customer feedback during our development phase.
"Like Adding Another Room to the House"
That's what one of our customers told us after installing their Sunrise SHADE. And honestly, that's exactly the transformation we were aiming for.
When you combine the Sunrise SHADE with a comfortable trampoline net upgrade and a few of our Sailor's Pillows, you're not just shading your bow—you're creating
a genuine second living space. One customer put it perfectly: "It allows me to enjoy my full boat even in mid-day sun."
Think about what that means for daily life at anchor. Morning coffee on the bow watching the sunrise. Midday reading without retreating to the salon. Afternoon
cocktails with guests spread across comfortable nets. Evening lounging under your speaker playing music as the sun sets.
The foredeck goes from "that place we walk across" to "the best spot on the boat."
The Hanging Chair Upgrade
Here's a feature that surprises people: if you have a spare halyard, you can hang a chair underneath the Sunrise SHADE.
Our design specifically accounts for this, creating a shaded sanctuary perfect for reading, napping, or just swinging gently while watching the anchorage.
It's one of those unexpected delights that makes guests ask, "Wait, you can do that?"
Creating the Complete Forward Living Space
The Sunrise SHADE works even better when paired with the right foundation. If you're still on OEM trampoline nets, those stiff, uncomfortable, wear out in 3 years
nets that came with your boat, you're missing half the equation.
Our 3/8" Offshore trampoline nets transform the bow into a barefoot-friendly, pet-friendly lounging surface. Add a few Sailor's Pillows (designed specifically for
marine use with Sunbrella tops, UV-resistant mesh bottoms, and tie-down clips so they don't blow away), and you've genuinely doubled your outdoor living space.
This isn't upselling, it's the honest truth about how these products work together. A shade over uncomfortable nets is still uncomfortable. But a shade over premium
nets with purpose built pillows? That's the catamaran lifestyle you signed up for.
What's Included with Your Sunrise SHADE
Every Sunrise SHADE ships complete and ready to install:
- Your custom-fit SHADE in your choice of color (Gray, Black, Lime Green, Charcoal, or Yellow/Orange)
- Hand-sewn storage bag for transport and protection
- Soft jib wrap with stainless steel carabiner
- EZ Tensioning Devices for each corner (1 large, 4 small)
- Tensioning line matched to your system
- Detailed instruction sheet and installation video access
Dimensions pack down to 32" x 23" x 5" at approximately 30 lbs—compact enough to stow easily when not in use.
The Order Process
Getting your Sunrise SHADE is straightforward:
Step 1: Select Your Model Choose your catamaran make and model from our dropdown. If we already have your boat on file (and we have most models),
that's all we need for a standard order.
Step 2: Provide Measurements (If Needed) If we don't have your exact boat on file, we'll contact you for five simple measurements. It's a quick
5-minute process for two people.
Step 3: Customization (Optional) Need to accommodate solar panels, davits, or other equipment? Select the customization option and we'll work with
you on modifications.
Step 4: Production & Shipping Standard orders ship in about 4 weeks. Need it faster? Our Rush option gets your SHADE shipped in 2 to 2.5 weeks.
We ship worldwide—your boat's location doesn't limit your options.
Real Feedback from Real Cruisers
"Our new catamaran shade was an absolute lifesaver on our trip to the Bahamas. It goes up in minutes and provides an amazing amount of shade on our foredeck
allowing us to sit out front and enjoy the views and the cool breezes without getting absolutely scorched. We are very impressed with the construction quality
and how easily it is attached with easily removable straps and tensioners."— Eric Fisher
"We recently added a new shade to the forward bow of our Leopard 40 sailing catamaran, and it's been a total game changer—especially in the hot Texas heat!
Being able to enjoy that space comfortably, even on the sunniest days, has made a huge difference. What really impressed us was its durability. We accidentally left
it up during a storm with 30-knot winds, and it held up like a champ—no damage at all." — Ashley Stone
As featured on the Parlay Revival sailing channel.
Ready to Transform Your Foredeck?
Your catamaran's bow is too valuable to ignore for half the day. The Sunrise SHADE makes that space usable—actually, genuinely usable—with a setup so fast you'll use it every time you anchor.
Pair it with upgraded trampoline nets and Sailor's Pillows, and you've created the outdoor living space that drew you to catamaran life in the first place.
Contact our team at (727) 526-9288 or info@multihullnets.com with your boat model. We'll get you a quote and let you know if your model is already on file or needs custom measurements.
Or select your boat from the dropdown on our SHADE product page and order directly.
Your foredeck is waiting.
Regards, Matt, Mike, & Caleb Sunrise Yacht Products Hand-sewn in FL since 1987