Overhead view of Godfrey Pontoon boat with boat shade system on lake.

Operation & Safety August 08, 2025

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Deploy and Stow a Boat Shade System for Easy Trailering

In this step-by-step video guide, we walk you through the entire process—from setup to trailering—so you can enjoy more time on the water and less time fussing with gear. Whether you're a seasoned boater or new to marine accessories, this tutorial covers everything you need to know about operating your boat’s shade system efficiently and safely. Learn how to lock it into place, fold it down with ease, and prepare your boat for transport—all in just a few minutes.

Timecodes
0:00 – How to deploy the boat shade system
0:10 – Locking the front and rear bars in place
0:24 – Securing the push-button mechanism
0:36 – Enjoying shade while anchored
0:38 – How to stow the shade system for trailering
0:50 – Using the bungee cord folding system
1:01 – Adjusting for trailering clearance
1:14 – Final steps for laying the shade flat
1:20 – Trailering tips for shaded pontoons
1:30 – Visit godfreypontoonboats.com for more

From your radar position in terms of deploying, you're going to grab that front bar and start walking it up. Then you'll hear the back has already clicked in, so you come around to the front. What you need to do is get on the other side of that push button, click it in, and then head to the other side and do the same. From there, you are up and ready to enjoy some time in the sun but under the shade.

Now, when you are ready to get back to trailering position, you're going to pull down because you want to give a little bit of release. Push the button in, do the same on the other side, and then, because of our bungee cord in the system, you'll see that it right away starts folding. You're good to go from there. To lay it down further if needed for trailering position, again just give a little release, push in that button, do the same on the other side, and there you go. You can lay it down further if needed depending on where you're parking or trailering.