TACO J-Lock SunShade 48-1/2" Fiberglass Poles, Set of 2

These are the fiberglass support poles for TACO's J-Lock SunShade System, and this listing is the 48-1/2 inch set of two. If you've already got the J-Lock bases mounted on your boat and you need the uprights that actually hold the canvas up, this is the part you're after. Each pole is 7/8 inch in diameter, made from lightweight black fiberglass, and the pair ships in a carrying bag so they stow flat when the shade is down.

Quick heads-up before you order. This set is the poles only. The J-Lock bases are not included. TACO sells the sunshade system as a few separate pieces so you can replace or add just what you need, and that's a good thing when a pole cracks or you want a spare set. But it does mean you'll want the mounting bases already installed on your gunwale or hardtop before these do you any good. If you're building the whole system from scratch, you'll need the canvas and the bases too.

Why fiberglass? It's the right trade-off for a sunshade upright. Light enough to raise single-handed, no corrosion to worry about after a season in salt, and it flexes a little instead of taking a permanent bend the way a metal tube can. That flex is worth knowing about. In a stiff breeze the poles will bow some, which is normal for a fabric shade. If you routinely anchor up in 20-plus knots, drop the shade rather than fighting it. These are made to keep the sun off on a calm afternoon at the sandbar, not to stand up to a blow.

The 48-1/2 inch length is the shorter of the two sizes TACO offers. It's the common pick for center consoles, bay boats, and smaller walkarounds where you want headroom over the cockpit without the shade towering up into the wind. There's also a 60.6 inch version in the same J-Lock line if you've got a taller boat or want more clearance to stand fully upright underneath. If you're not sure which you have, measure your existing poles end to end before you order a replacement.

Setup is about as simple as boat gear gets. Seat the base of each pole into its J-Lock socket, twist to lock, and clip the canvas up top. Two people can have the whole shade up in a minute or two. When you're done, pull the poles, slide them in the carry bag, and tuck them in a locker. One tip from experience: store them in the bag out of the sun when they're not in use. Fiberglass left baking on deck season after season will eventually go chalky on the surface. Keeping them bagged keeps them looking right for years.

Fitment matters here. These are cut and finished for the TACO J-Lock system, so the 7/8 inch diameter and the pole ends are sized to drop into J-Lock sockets. If your sockets are older or have some paint or crud built up inside, a light cleanout helps the poles seat smoothly. TACO backs the sunshade poles with a 3-Year Limited Warranty, and we're an authorized TACO dealer, so if something's off out of the box we'll make it right.

Who buys a set like this? Usually a boater who already runs the J-Lock shade and snapped a pole stepping on it during setup, or someone who wants a backup pair riding in the console so a broken upright doesn't end a day on the water. A set of two also covers you if you rig a shade fore and aft. Either way, keep a spare and you're never stuck without cover on a hot afternoon.

Bottom line: if you run the J-Lock shade and need the 48-1/2 inch uprights, whether you're replacing a broken one or want a backup set in the console, this is the correct pair. Just remember the bases aren't part of this kit, and match the length to what your boat already carries.