Cockpit shade

[warrenthames]

I am planning to make new shade awning for my cockpit for use while at anchor ( opaque). I live in the tropics. Do darker colors. ( navy blue) cause more heat than lighter colors (tan) or do they make more shade and actually keep the cockpit cooler? Thanks for experience and advice.

[Orion Jim]

Darker colors absorb more heat.....those who have dark colored hulls and fabrics will occasionally profess they are no hotter than light colored hulls and fabrics.....we know better.

[Tomodore]

Overwhelming preference for lighter covers here in tropical Mexico. Perhaps dark would be better if and last longer but heat and stain/fading digest going lighter.

[406Columbia]

As already mentioned before by other members, the short answer is lighter colors are cooler.

The more detailed answer is heat energy obeys the same laws of conservation as light energy. If a certain color reflects most light wavelengths (lighter colors like white), most heat energy will be reflected as well. Therefore, due to the nature of visual light, colors that reflect most wavelengths of light tend to be cooler than those that only reflect a few. Understanding how this principle applies to different colors can allow you to stay warmer or cooler simply by using different colored paints or fabrics and colors on your boat.