How to Add Storage Pockets to a Cockpit Sunshade (Phifertex DIY Guide)
DIY sailboat upgrade on our Leopard 40 catamaran. We added Phifertex Plus mesh storage pockets to our cockpit sunshade, creating a simple way to store, drain, and dry snorkel and freediving gear.
Living aboard means getting creative with storage.
Phifertex cockpit sunshade storage.
4/2026 Written by Chris & Su Wallace from Squid and Jelly's Great Adventure
When you live on a boat, every bit of space matters. Storage is always limited, and anything that serves more than one purpose is a big win.
When we decided to sew a cockpit sunshade for our Leopard 40 catamaran, my main goal was simple: reduce heat in the cockpit. Just recently, we realized the shade was like a blank canvas.
Table of Contents
- A New Idea for Our Cockpit Sunshade
- Materials Used
- Supplies Used
- Why a Cockpit Sunshade Makes a Huge Difference on a Boat
- Turning the Sunshade Into Storage
- Why Phifertex Plus Is Perfect for Marine Storage
- Built to Last With PTFE Lifetime Thread
- The Benefits of Combining Shade and Storage
- Why DIY Boat Projects Are So Rewarding
- How to Contact Us
A New Idea for Our Cockpit Sunshade
Instead of leaving that space unused, we turned it into functional storage for our freediving and snorkeling gear.
This simple DIY boat project ended up solving several problems at once: heat, organization, and drying wet gear.
Materials Used
- Sailrite PTFE thread or Tenara
Supplies used:
- Clear Acrylic Ruler 6" x 24" - I like using 2!
Su The Sewist Tip
Always compare prices! I usually check Amazon, but more often than not Sailrite still wins on price for the same quality materials. Sign up for their emails too so you don’t miss their sales.
Why a Cockpit Sunshade Makes a Huge Difference on a Boat
Anyone who cruises in warm climates knows how quickly a cockpit can heat up. Even with a hard bimini, the sun can still angle in and turn the cockpit into a greenhouse.
A cockpit sunshade can dramatically reduce the temperature and make the space far more comfortable for relaxing, eating, or working.
For this project, the sunshade itself is made from Phifertex Plus, which is ideal for shade applications because it blocks a large amount of sunlight while still allowing airflow through the fabric.
To give the shade strength and a clean finished look, I used Sunbrella along the top and bottom edges as reinforcement, Sunbrella binding along the sides and DOT Cloth to Cloth Fasteners to snap them around the frame.
This combination works extremely well on a boat because:
- Phifertex Plus provides shade while allowing airflow
- Sunbrella adds strength where the shade is attached and under tension
- Both materials are designed for harsh marine environments and UV exposure
The result is a cockpit shade that reduces heat while still allowing air to flow through the cockpit.
Turning the Sunshade Into Storage
On a boat, unused surfaces are wasted opportunities.
When we looked at the sunshade, we saw the perfect spot to create hanging storage pockets for our freediving and snorkeling gear.
We spend a lot of time in the water, and our gear ending up:
- piled in the cockpit
- dripping on the deck
- taking up valuable space
We wanted a solution where the gear could drain, dry, and stay organized.
Why Phifertex Plus Is Perfect for Marine Storage
For the storage bags, we also used Phifertex Plus mesh fabric, which is widely used in marine canvas projects.
It is ideal for wet gear because it:
- allows airflow so gear dries faster
- drains water easily
- resists UV damage
- is extremely strong and durable
- protects our gear from the damaging sun rays
The mesh also makes it easier to see what is inside each pocket.
Su The Sewist Tip
Phifertex can be cut with regular scissors and it won’t unravel. Over time you may notice small white fibers along the cut edge, so I placed my seams on the inside of the pockets and folded the top edge to keep everything looking clean.
I sewed several custom sized gear pockets directly onto the sunshade, so everything has a place.
The pocket was too big with 4" all around so I trimmed it to have a 1" Bottom and angled the sides to the top at 4".
The pockets hold:
- freediving fins
- scuba diving/snorkel fins
- booties
- masks
- snorkels
- rash guards
- wetsuits
- bathing suits
- defog
Now when we return from snorkeling or freediving, we rinse off and everything goes straight into its pocket where it can drip dry and stay organized.
Built to Last With PTFE Lifetime Thread
Because this project will live outside in full sun and salt air, we wanted the stitching to last as long as the fabric.
I used Sailrite PTFE lifetime thread (I finished the spool) & Tenara PTFE lifetime thread in black, which is known for being extremely resistant to UV damage and weathering. Unlike traditional polyester thread, PTFE thread will not degrade in the sun over time.
The entire project was sewn on my Sailrite LSZ sewing machine using a Groz-Beckert needle size 18, which handles heavy marine fabrics like Sunbrella and Phifertex Plus extremely well.
Using quality marine materials and PTFE thread means this sunshade and storage system should last for many years without the stitching failing.
Su The Sewist Tip
When my Sailrite LSZ aka the “Blue Bitch” (because she’s blue… and sometimes she’s a bitch) starts acting up, I first check the basics: needle, hook, cap springs for burrs, and timing. If I still can’t solve it, I message Brad Broman on WhatsApp (+1 573-619-3113). His remote troubleshooting has saved more than a few of my sewing projects. Brad is basically my sewing machine lifeline!
The Benefits of Combining Shade and Storage
This simple DIY cockpit project ended up doing three important things.
1. Keeps the cockpit cooler - The Phifertex Plus shade blocks direct sun and reduces heat buildup.
2. Organizes freediving and snorkel gear - Everything now has a dedicated storage space.
3. Helps gear dry faster - The mesh fabric allows airflow and drainage so wet gear dries naturally.
Instead of wet gear cluttering the cockpit, it now hangs and dries while we relax.
Why DIY Boat Projects Are So Rewarding
One of the best parts of sewing projects for the boat is that you can customize everything to fit your exact needs.
Most off the shelf storage solutions do not work well in marine environments, but with the right materials like Phifertex Plus, Sunbrella, and PTFE thread such as Sailrite or Tenara, you can create something that is durable, functional, and looks great on your boat.
This cockpit sunshade turned into one of my favorite upgrades because it improved both comfort and organization on board.
And now every time we come back from the water, our snorkel and freediving gear has the perfect place to go.
Sometimes the best boat upgrades start with something as simple as looking at a blank canvas and imagining what it could become.
If you have any questions about this project, feel free to reach out. I truly enjoy talking about sewing projects and sharing ideas with others who are making upgrades to their boats. If you’d prefer to have something like this made for you, I would also be happy to help if we happen to be in your area. Since we are cruising around the world, it just takes a little planning to line things up.
You can contact Su on WhatsApp at +599 782 3144 or by email at squidandjellysgreatadventure@gmail.com.
And if you’d like to follow along with our travels, you can find us on NoForeignLand under SV Cosmos – Chris & Su Wallace.
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