Just saw a good idea on a friends boat. He has a dodger plus a full width
boom crotch further aft. They made a sun/rain cover that fits between the
top of the dodger aft and can be used when sailing. The cover can also be
raised higher when at anchor or docked but it required an intermediate
support. That was accomplished by redoing the top end of the stanchions
nearest the aft end of the dodger. He just unscrews a fill fitting and screw
in a stanchion extender on each side. A thwartship's pipe with curved ends
fits between the two. The pipe comes apart in three pieces when it's time to
stow it away. The cover itself has two more features. One is the ability
to add on an extension to cover more of the boat forward. This can be added
to even more to cover the fore deck if needed. The second is a 10" flap
that hangs down all around the edges. This allows space to add on sidewalls
if the need arises. Sorry I don't have a photo but hope you get the idea.
It's much better than bungees!

M.
"Doug Dotson" wrote in message
...
You might try anodized aluminum poles that are used in
tents (contact Campmor) The fiberglass poles that are used
in tents have anodized aluminum ferules as well. You might contact
a company called Shadetree that makes awnings for boats
that uses these types of poles. We use 1" stainless steel
tubing for our awnings.

Doug
s/v Callista

"1" wrote in message
...
Looking to make an awning. Lots of cruisers use pvc water pipe - it
ages in the sun and breaks - but it's cheap.

Friends have an awning that uses the bendy fiberglass tent pole
supports - like glass fishing rod stuff. They disconnect with ferrules
so are easy to stow - but all the ones they've seen have plated steel
ferrules - they rust and stain the awning.

Any better ideas?