Custom Rod Holder Boat Shade Systems
The boat sun shade system that started it all. Our Traditional Shade is custom-built for your boat and uses existing rod holders in the bow, stern, or both to support our patented collapsible carbon-fiber poles. The shade attaches to your hardtop and is designed for quick deployment, easy storage, and dependable sun protection whenever you need it.
The Blackstick® Difference
Learn our difference from others and why you should choose BLACKSTICK®
Tougher, More Flexible Boat Shade
Strong Carbon Fiber
Easy to assemble
- Flexible by design. Blackstick® carbon-fiber poles flex with changing wind and boat movement rather than remaining completely rigid. This helps reduce the amount of stress transferred to your boat’s rod holders and mounting points.
- Designed around your existing rod holders. Our Traditional system uses your boat’s rod holders as the primary support points, giving the poles a strong, secure base without adding bulky permanent structures to your boat.
- Lightweight carbon-fiber construction. Blackstick poles are lightweight, strong, and easy to handle while still providing the tension needed to keep your shade properly deployed.
- Designed to protect the boat first. Under an extreme impact or overload, the pole is designed to give way before transferring excessive force to the boat’s rod holder or mounting point. If a lower pole section is damaged, it can typically be replaced without replacing the entire shade system.
User Friendly
- Made specifically for your shade. Each Blackstick® pole is sized for the shade system it supports, so there’s no guessing with telescoping poles or height adjustments.
- Fast, simple setup. Our patented collapsible pole design eliminates complicated adjustments and unnecessary moving parts, helping you get your shade up or down quickly.
- Easy to store. The lightweight carbon-fiber poles break down into compact sections, and the shade and poles can be stored together without taking up valuable space on your boat.
- Designed for life on the water. Fewer mechanical components mean fewer parts to adjust, maintain, or fight with when you simply want some shade.
A few more things that make Blackstick® different:
- Built for the marine environment. Our systems are designed around the realities of saltwater boating, with materials and components selected to reduce corrosion and unnecessary maintenance.
- No unnecessary deck hardware. Blackstick’s flexible pole design maintains tension without requiring additional tag lines or permanent deck hardware for normal use.
- Premium marine-grade fabric. We use Serge Ferrari Soltis 86, a micro-perforated marine fabric that provides substantial sun protection while allowing airflow and helping prevent water from pooling.
- Carbon-fiber poles. Our poles are hand-built from carbon fiber for a lightweight combination of strength, flexibility, and easy handling.
- Built in America. Blackstick shade systems and our patented collapsible carbon-fiber poles are handcrafted here in the USA.
Proven on the Water
Since 2014, Blackstick has built and delivered more than 1,900 complete boat shade systems for customers across the U.S. and around the world. Along the way, we’ve hand-built more than 5,000 of our patented collapsible carbon-fiber poles right here in America.Why Boaters Choose Blackstick®
1. Fast Setup
Blackstick shade systems are designed to be quick and easy to deploy. Our lightweight, collapsible carbon-fiber poles make setup simple and break down for compact storage when the shade isn't in use.
2. Built Strong
Every Blackstick system is built around our patented collapsible carbon-fiber poles and premium Serge Ferrari fabric. Our poles are handcrafted in America for the strength, flexibility, and durability demanded by life on the water.
3. Better Boating
Your shade shouldn't become another chore on your boat. Blackstick is designed to provide serious sun protection without bulky hardware, complicated setup, or unnecessary hassle—so you can spend more time enjoying the water.
Top of the class Quality
At Blackstick we put the highest priority on quality. Our carbon fiber poles are fabricated completely by hand using carbon made in the United States, furthering our American made values. Fabric for our shades is sourced from Serge Ferrari. They provide us with an extremely durable perforated mesh that doesn’t stretch and provides unparalleled protection from the sun. Together they form a completely custom product designed for one thing…being the only shade you’ll ever need.
Simplicity and Ease of Use
The best things in life are free. The second best are things that are simple and easy. Space on the boat and time in your day are extremely precious. Our system can be put up or taken down in less than 5 minutes allowing you to do what you do best, enjoy the day. And to save space our lightweight poles break down in the center eliminating the storage problem.
Cost-Effectiveness
Shade systems can range from a several hundred to several thousand dollars. Let’s face it, boats cost a lot of money, but your shade shouldn’t have to. We focus on making the Blackstick a cost-effective system for buyers of all lifestyles.
Why Boaters Choose Blackstick®
1. Fast Setup
Blackstick shade systems are designed to be quick and easy to deploy. Our lightweight, collapsible carbon-fiber poles make setup simple and break down for compact storage when the shade isn't in use.
2. Built Strong
Every Blackstick system is built around our patented collapsible carbon-fiber poles and premium Serge Ferrari fabric. Our poles are handcrafted in America for the strength, flexibility, and durability demanded by life on the water.
3. Better Boating
Your shade shouldn't become another chore on your boat. Blackstick is designed to provide serious sun protection without bulky hardware, complicated setup, or unnecessary hassle—so you can spend more time enjoying the water.
Top of the class Quality
At Blackstick we put the highest priority on quality. Our carbon fiber poles are fabricated completely by hand using carbon made in the United States, furthering our American made values. Fabric for our shades is sourced from Serge Ferrari. They provide us with an extremely durable perforated mesh that doesn’t stretch and provides unparalleled protection from the sun. Together they form a completely custom product designed for one thing…being the only shade you’ll ever need.
Simplicity and Ease of Use
The best things in life are free. The second best are things that are simple and easy. Space on the boat and time in your day are extremely precious. Our system can be put up or taken down in less than 5 minutes allowing you to do what you do best, enjoy the day. And to save space our lightweight poles break down in the center eliminating the storage problem.
Cost-Effectiveness
Shade systems can range from a several hundred to several thousand dollars. Let’s face it, boats cost a lot of money, but your shade shouldn’t have to. We focus on making the Blackstick a cost-effective system for buyers of all lifestyles.
Every boat is unique and we're here to help determine which boat sun shade is best for you.
Our goal at The Blackstick is simple: provide easy, reliable, cost-effective shade to make your time on the water longer, cooler, and healthier. Our patented system does just that. Fill out the form on the right to get started. Future you will thank yourself, because your boating experience deserves only the best.
Tell Us About Your Boat. We’ll Take It From Here.
Our goal at Blackstick is simple: make your time on the water longer and cooler. You bought your boat to boat, not to burn. Whether you know exactly what you want or need help choosing, tell us a little about your boat and how you use it. We’ll review the details, recommend the right Blackstick setup, and provide pricing for your boat.
Our customers are saying great things!
★★★★★
I could not be happier with the entire experience and the finished product! Austin was quick to assist with any question I had during the process. Bring on the sun!!
★★★★★
“Love, love, love my shade, poles are high quality exposed clear coated carbon fiber! Be the envy of your friends at the local beach spot! Buy from Blackstick!”
★★★★★
We love our Blackstick Sunshade! The quality of the shade, poles, workmanship and professional job done by Nanette is totally appreciated. Our brand new Regulator has the most custom fitted forward sun shade now. Highly recommend this product and staff for a beautiful shade and fast customer service!
★★★★★
We love our Blackstick sun shade, it was on already on our boat when we got it. We did have a stick break during a hurricane and Austin was exceptionally easy to work with to get it replaced. They are the best!
★★★★★
Outstanding product and even better ownership. Great experience. 100% recommend.
★★★★★
I could not be happier with our shades from Blackstick. The product quality is excellent ant the experience throughout the process was exceptional. Their commitment to delivering a perfect solution is evident. Thank you for a great product and smooth process.Frequently Asked Questions
The Blackstick® Patented Technology carbon fiber pole designed for fast, durable, and hassle-free shade—because your family deserves the best boating experience. To have all your questions answered, click the button below!
How long do Blackstick® boat sun shades last?
We design our Blackstick® boat sun shades to last as long as possible. We currently have customers with our boat sun shades that have lasted longer than 9 years. Many of our customers upgrade their boat and purchase a new boat sun shade from us before theirs wear out.
What are your Blackstick® boat sun shades material made of?
Our Blackstick® boat sun shades are made of a perforated mesh canvas from Serge Ferrari.
How much does a Blackstick® boat sun shade cost?
Every Blackstick® boat sun shade is customized, so pricing does vary. Prices for our boat sun shades increase based on material used, boat size, etc.
What is the Blackstick® traditional boat sun shade?
The traditional Blackstick® rod holder boat sun shade uses rod holders as the receiving point for your carbon fiber poles, which then support the boat sun shade shade. The traditional boat sun shade can be used to cover the bow or stern of the boat.
What is the Blackstick® rocket boat sun shade?
Our Blackstick® rocket boat sun shade uses rod holders on your hard top. We insert elbows into the rod holders and then the carbon fiber poles into the elbows. The boat sun shade is free floating and doesn’t use carbon fiber poles in the gunnels, keeping your stern open for fishing.
Can I measure the boat sun shade myself?
Yes, you can. You will need the carbon fiber poles before you measure.
Where do you get your carbon fiber poles from?
We make all of our carbon fiber poles by hand in our Bradenton facility with materials we source in the U.S.
What if my Blackstick® boat sun shade doesn’t fit?
We will work with you to make the needed changes to ensure the best fit possible.
How long does it take to get my Blackstick® boat sun shade?
You can expect your Blackstick® boat sun shade in approximately 2-3 weeks, depending on the time of year.
How do I attach the Blackstick® boat sun shade to my hardtop?
We normally set stainless steel padeyes in your hard top with small sheet metal screws. We then put snap hooks on our shades to make putting up and taking down a breeze. If you don’t have a hard top, then we can also loop around any existing structure/frame with webbing straps.
How fast can I go with my Blackstick® boat sun shade up?
For bow sun shades, trolling speed. 5-10 MPH.
For stern and rocket boat sun shades, 25-30 MPH based on wind direction. Sometimes the sun shades can take more, but it’s the customers’ responsibility to operate within these guidelines. If it looks out of control, slow down or take it down. We won’t replace something broken from negligence.
Do you offer a warranty?
Blackstick® doesn’t offer a warranty as it’s impossible for us to know what is a manufacturing problem and what is customer negligence.
How long does it take to put up and take down my Blackstick® boat sun shade?
Our shades are designed with ease in mind. On average, you can put up or take down a Blackstick® boat sun shade in 2 minutes.
Do I need rod holders for my Blackstick® boat sun shade?
At the moment all of our boat shades require traditional rod holders.
Can I buy just the carbon fiber sticks?
Yes, Blackstick® will sell the carbon fiber poles by themselves.
Do you keep patterns of boats?
Blackstick® is the OEM manufacturer for several boat builders. We only keep patterns for those boat builders. Everything else is custom.
How easy are your boat sun shades to set up and take down?
Our Blackstick® boat sun shades can be put up or taken down in under 5 minutes.
How is the boat sun shade attached to the hard top?
There are two Blackstick® boat sun shade options.
1. Loop webbing straps around any available tubing.
2. Drilling small holes into the hard top to install stainless steel padeyes and fastening
them with small screws.
Do you have a universal boat sun shade kit?
We are in the process of developing a Blackstick® universal boat sun shade kit. Due to variations of rod holder placement and degrees on each boat, each shade is custom to the boat.
I live outside the Tampa Bay area, can you help me?
Absolutely! Here at Blackstick® we can send you incredibly easy instructions for taking all the measurements you need for your shade.
What makes the Blackstick® boat sun system different/better?
Our Blackstick® patented technology and our poles. Made of extremely light weight and durable carbon fiber, our poles break down in the middle allowing for easy storage and space saving (forever important on a boat!).