Has anyone built or bought a shade shelter that holds up in 18-24knts of wind? I have tried many different types and find that at about 12knts they become completely useless. I am now considering building one. Any ideas, stuff people built along with pictures would be much appreciated. Some of my ideas so far include UV stabilized PVC or modifying one of those multi-fold ladders from Bunning's. This project is several months away but it is never to ealy to start the brain storming

amoka,

we tried a couple but they were either not up to the Corros challenge or were too difficult to errect in high winds.

We now have the "Sunshelter" (Smart Shade by Gasmate) and it works a treat. We upsized the sand pegs to the monster 1.5 foot long ones. It passes the Corros challenge and it has been up and down the West and South coast with no problems. We got it from a dedicated camping store. If you see it in the shop it looks really flimsy and unstable but when you fill the sand pockets with sand and get the monster pegs in, it is very stable.

It works out cheaper buying one, I'm not sure of the brands but look for the ones that have looped (geodisic?) poles and not the conventional X type (dome) you see in cheap models. The geodisic style withstands winds better than the X ones...they don't bend inwards. If you are unsure what I mean have a look at the pole designs in real mountaineering tents not the dome style. But be aware these types of shelters cost much more.

If you want to keep the thing from taking off on the beach, applies to cheap models too, I found an ideal "soft peg", Woolies sells for $5-$6 a set of 4 or 6 nylon fabric shopping bags with their label on 'em. Fill 'em up with sand (approx 20kg each), tie string (guy ropes) to the handles and to the shelter corners then bury the bags. When you are ready to leave just empty the bags and chuck 'em into the shelter bag. Beats the useless pegs that come with these shelters.

Caribee do a sun shleter that is like a dome tent but the poles are permanently connected and the is a quick setup bit is the middle. It is so easy to use and stand up to wind well. We added a bit of velcro to the connection of the poles so it will stand up to Lano in summer.

Best bet is to tie to a tress on the windward side as this stop it cartwheeling down the beach.

http://www.caribee.com/product.php?prd=171

The big pockets on the side hold a heap of sand so there is no need for pegs on a "normal" day.