KEEPING COOL IN THE SUN
MIRANDA DELMARMORGAN is an Ocean Yachtmaster, delivery skipper and author of multiple pilot and reference books. She has logged over 100,000 miles and currently owns a Najad 390
Most people realise that yachts cruising in the tropics need decent shading, but it hasn’t normally been necessary for sailors in northern latitudes. That is changing though and we are increasingly getting searingly hot spells here in the UK. People are also now more conscious of skin damage and exposure. It is time to think about decent shelter and protection from the sun. Last year Edward and I were fried to a crisp for several days when on the Hamble, so we decided to tackle the setup on our boat.
You will have seen, in pictures at least, large, graceful yachts rigged up with vast awnings above canvas deck chairs to stop the ice in the gin and tonics melting. Two or more masts obviously make awnings easier to suspend because there is so much more rigging for tensioning it,
