Anyone make a sun sail out of lycra?

[miwitte]

I had purchased some large triangle sun sails and after trying smaller mounting points it became obvious that when you start researching it you either need 6x6 or 4" schedule 40 galvinized pipe and lots of concrete. I was looking for something that was semi portable and we went to the beach and saw these lightweight lycra tents. I found some thing on instructables and this would work with lighterwieght poles just cant find material larger than 60"

No-Sew Spandex Tensile Shade Structure

No-Sew Spandex Tensile Shade Structure: Too much sun? Make yourself some shade! This instructable comes from an idea I had about a way to make simple, fast, and cheap shade structures out of spandex (Lycra) fabric. This method lends itself to experimentation since it doesn't require sewin…

www.instructables.com

This looks like it could work if i could find a place to get say 12-15' wide material. What has others used for their sun shades i dont need it to be permanant with 6x6 lumber.

 

[YippeeSkippy]

You can buy Coolaroo sail shades at Costco and Lowes. I love the Coolaroo fabric and have shades made from it on my screened in porch. Granted its a much heavier fabric than what you show there.

Maddie

 

[Saturn94]

Hmmm, I would have thought UV would deteriorate Lycra fairly quick?

 

[Dirk]

The problem with the lighter weight and/or cheaper sails is that you can't tension them. So they'll flap around in the wind, and come apart in a strong storm, and depending on the material could collect rain water and fill up. Longevity is another factor. I have the best sail I could find and have it cranked down, using 4x4s and pier blocks, no digging. But... I get around the rigidity problem using guy wires. Like a sailboat mast does. Like this:



The wires are near-invisible to me. Depends on the backdrop, I suppose. I can show you a front-on pic where you can't see them. I hid the other set in a tree. If you want more info about how this is done, ask away...

 

[Dirk]

I just followed your link. Yah, uh, no. They're using what amounts to nylon twine. Doesn't matter how they shape the thing, much more than a light breeze and it's over. You'd have to take that down each day. I'm talking 1/4" stainless steel cables and heavy duty SS turnbuckles and eyes. Permanent. Storm proof. (Though I do take it down off-season to help it last longer. It goes up and down pretty easily.)