Hi, Jay, and thanks for the input. Still waiting for what kind of
awning material info...

I looked at their site, and given how much it would cost to build the
same thing, I don't know that I feel it expensive. And, I have input
from some of the mailing lists to which I posed the same question which
sez they'll sell you the parts you need to replace/repair.

Looking at their site, I see one may buy the poles, and straps and
buckles...

Meanwhile, I'd heard about slide systems, or even permanent mounts, on
booms, where the awnings were rolled right up and left there. That
neatly handles that part. My problem is that the boom barely covers
the cockpit, which is already protected by a bimini (of course, that
excludes the engine room and walkthrough part of the deck).

I still have the design problem of making a cover(s) for the entirety
of the deck, which would be my preference. However, feedback I'm
getting from others who have them (ShadeTree) has largely been
positive, in all the concerns I have other than the ability to gather
water.

One complained about the time and hassle to get his up; he sold it.
Everyone else finds it very straightforward and reasonably simple; as a
former camper, I think I could make it happen pretty fast :{))

However, this isn't to promote ShadeTree, but to get user input. None
the less, info about other materials more suited to awnings, and ideas
about how to make installation and storage simple on my boat are also
welcomed, as I may well make ours after all.

L8R

Skip, doing electronics installation today

Morgan 461 #2
SV Flying Pig KI4MPC
http://tinyurl.com/384p2 The vessel as Tehamana, as we bought her

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you
didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail
away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails.
Explore.
Dream. Discover." - Mark Twain