BOW SHADE:

On boats, the FRONT or BOW shade is designed for sandbar use only (i.e. when boat is stationary). If you’re going to move the boat with this front shade up, the boat should ABSOLUTELY NOT move faster than 5 – 7 knots with the poles and shade up. FAILURE TO INSTALL SUPPORT STRAPS VOIDS ALL WARRANTIES. BECAUSE THE FORWARD EDGE OF A BOW SHADE FACES INCOMING WIND, THE SHADE MUST BE INSTALLED HORIZONTALLY TO THE GROUND (I.E. ABSOLUTELY FLAT) OR EVEN ANGLED SLIGHTLY DOWNWARDS. The shade should be installed so that the oncoming wind flows over the top of it, not underneath it in an upward draft. If you have the shade angled upwards, the incoming wind will cause too much pressure on the shade (imagine putting your arm out of the car window facing forwards as you pick up speed – that’s the kind of pressure you’re putting on the poles and the shade) – so insure the shades are absolutely horizontal, and always have the support straps installed.

AFT SHADE:

The AFT shade can be up while the boat is moving, but we do not recommend leaving it up if the boat is moving faster than 15 knots MAXIMUM. Always have your support straps in place. NO SUPPORT STRAP = NO WARRANTY

RESIDENTIAL SHADE:

IT IS NOT RECOMMENDED TO KEEP YOUR RESIDENTIAL SHADE AND POLES UP IN WINDS IN EXCESS OF 25 – 30 MILES PER HOUR – IN SUCH EVENTS, SHADES SHOULD BE TAKEN DOWN – but always keep your support straps installed when the shade is up.
There should ALWAYS be a support strap in place on EVERY POLE, attached from the padeye to a cleat/padeye on the boat: the purpose of this is to create equal pressure to the front and back of the pole, so that the pole doesn’t flex or break under speed/wind pressure AND it is designed to secure the poles to the boat or deck. If you do not have a support strap in place and run with the boat, the upward air pressure may cause the shade to flap so much that it pulls the poles out of the rod holder. The strap can be a one inch webbing strap attached with a snap hook, or rigging wire, or even simple marine line – as long as it is very strong and durable. Even with the support strap installed, we do NOT recommend moving the boat faster than 15 knots MAXIMUM with the shade/poles up for AFT shade, and not more than 5 knots with the BOW SHADE up. NO SUPPORT STRAP = NO WARRANTY
THE SUPPORT STRAP MUST BE INSTALLED ON ALL POLES, INCLUDING HOME/PATIO/SAILSHADE/AWNING POLES.
​Warranty is voided if there is no support stap in place, and warranty is void if poles are incorrectly installed.
POLES MUSTBE RINSED WITH FRESH WATER AFTER USE IN A SALT WATER ENVIRONMENT.
A customer with a loose shade (already a problem – all shades MUST BE AS TIGHT AS POSSIBLE – NEVER LOOSE) had an issue with his rod holder – he didn’t realize that the rod holder had been installed without a backing plate. Then he started running the boat (something we advise against), the upward air pressure on the flapping shade caused the actual rod holder to twist and come out of the fiberglass. No fault of Carbiepoles of course (would have happened no matter what pole had been put in there) – just a design flaw of the boat and their rod holders. If there had been a backing plate on there, it most likely would not have happened – but the bottom line is, if your shade is loose and flapping like a bag, then that’s going to put a lot of stress on the poles and rod holders – especially if you decide to run the boat at speed. Make your shade as tight as possible and never run the boat over 10 – 15 knots – and ALWAYS make sure you have your support straps on!
If you’re installing the poles into rod holders, please ensure two things: that there is a backing plate installed with the rod holders AND that the rod holders are through bolted (not screwed) down. And of course, make sure the support strap is always in place when the shade is up. It makes a difference too if you’re using a solid material for the shade (like stamoid, for example) or a tight mesh (like Polyfab/polytex, which is what we use) – the mesh allows for water and wind to pass through – otherwise you run the risk of rain pooling if the material is solid. The shade should be installed at an incline too, for water to drain off the shade. The solid material is also a lot heavier than mesh, which puts more strain on the poles and mounting points.
While very light, strong, durable and resistant to corrosion and fatigue (ideal for the harsh marine environment), the poles are susceptible to scratching if treated roughly. They are, however, easy to repair with AWLGRIP paint (see our website for details). Do not allow the poles to become excessively hot as this can weaken the epoxy (i.e. do not leave them lying horizontally in the hot sun indefinitely.) Temperatures in excess of 650 degrees F have been recorded on dark poles, which absorb more heat than light colors. As with all things, poles may fade with extended exposure to sunlight so keep them in the shade in a soft protective bag when not in use.
ALWAYS ALWAYS rinse the poles with fresh water after use in a salt water environment. Warrantied for one year against breakages but only if correctly installed and using poles within recommended guidelines i.e. a support strap must be installed on every pole.
*************When tightening the clamp – make sure the lever is open while you do it – tighten it so that it is nice and snug and THEN close the lever.*************​ Don’t try to tighten the clamp while the lever is closed – and be sure not to over tighten the clamp.