Product Review – TACO ShadeFin
Finding a way to get out of the direct sun when trying to enjoy a full day on the water can be challenging. There never seems to be enough room under a T-top/Hard-top, and extending full, elaborate shade systems can be time consuming and frustrating.
However, TACO Marine has solved the issue of fast, portable, and convenient shade with the new ShadeFin that provides “Shadow in Seconds.”
It is refreshing to experience how simple the ShadeFin attaches into rod holders, tops, and gunnels for convenient, portable shade. Anywhere there is a rod holder on the boat is a potential location for that area to be shaded.
The system comes with an innovative fixed-mount rod holder that fits neatly over the T-top/Hard-top rod holder’s gimbal pin and locks in place with a nylon knob.
In addition, there are other mounting accessories sold separately that allow for personalized, angle adjustments, including: (1) an adjustable rod holder mount; (2) a telescoping rod holder accessory that allows for the ShadeFin to be transferred to any gunnel-mount, console, or leaning post rod holder on the boat; (3) a hardtop mounting bracket; (4) the TACO Marine Grand Slam 170 Outrigger or 170-2 Center Rigger Mounts; and (5) a fixed or adjustable clamp-on mount for pipe or tube.
Once locating the area of the boat that needs the shade, deploying and collapsing the ShadeFin is the beauty of this system. All that is required is to take the product from wherever it is stowed once arriving to your destination and removing it from the mesh/neoprene sleeve. Sliding the ShadeFin into the mount is easy, as the mounting shaft has a clever guide pin system that easily aligns with all the mounting options.
After the set pins pop into their locking pin holes, activate the underside release tabs, fully extend the rear arms, and lock the front arms in place. This automatically extends the UPF 50+ rating of sun protection fabric. Finally, the structural, aluminum ribs attached to weather-resistant, sun-protecting fabric expand out from the body to lock the fin in place.
Not only does the product deploy quickly, allowing for maximized time on the water while providing the necessary shade, it collapses just as quickly by reversing the installation instructions. The system packs neatly into the carry bag that allows for quick location changes, when trying to locate the fish or joining friends at the next sandbar just down the waterway.
ShadeFin weighs only 12 pounds, and the simplicity of removing it from the boat to store and dry for its next use is made easy by the bag’s shoulder strap.
If you need a fast, effective, simple shade system for your boat, TACO Marine has conquered this necessity with ShadeFin, as it truly provides “Shadow in Seconds.”
The ShadeFin retails starting at $1099.99, and for more information about ShadeFin, you can visit www.tacomarine.com or call (305) 652-8566.
