Designing Comfort: How We Created a Custom center console shade Digitally for the Ocqueteau 7.1 Ostrea
- AC Nautitech
- Oct 8
- 3 min read
When we first looked at the Ocqueteau 7.1 Ostrea, we saw more than a beautiful center console boat — we saw an opportunity. Boat owners love this model for its simplicity and open layout, but like many center consoles, it lacked shade over the aft deck. That meant hours in the sun with little protection — something we knew we could fix and also critical for the customers in the mediterrenean area.
So we set out to design a portable, elegant, and easy-to-install sun shade that would transform the experience on board without changing the boat’s character.
And more importantly, we wanted to prove what our digital design process could do.
Step 1: Capturing the Boat — Digitally
Every project at AC Nautitech starts with precision. Instead of tracing plastic templates by hand — the traditional method used across the industry — we used 3D scanning and digital photography to capture the exact shape and dimensions of the boat.
In just a few minutes, we had a digital twin of the Ostrea: a perfect 3D model that let us design every curve, attachment, and angle virtually. This step eliminates the need for multiple fittings and ensures that, from the start, the product will fit flawlessly.
Step 2: Designing the Shade of the Ocqueteau Ostea 7.1
Back in our workshop, we imported the digital model into our CAD design software, where we could visualize how the fabric would stretch, how the poles would anchor, and how the shade would handle wind loads. On mission critical projects, we can upload 3D scans and models from the field, as we did for a project a project in Malta, while the team designed in Barcelona, reducing waste, and speeding up the process.
Here’s where the technology meets craftsmanship — our team of marine upholsterers knows from experience where stress points appear and where to reinforce materials. So we digitally reinforced those zones before production even began.
The render looked perfect. But more importantly, we knew it would be perfect on the boat. We are also experienced in the use of Tensile software for shade and awnign design, once more, not guessing, but carefully following a digital process we have been building for the most demanding customers.
Step 3: Turning Digital into Reality
Once the design was approved by the customer, shape and colors, we moved to fabrication. Using CNC laser cutting, every fabric panel was cut with millimetric precision. We also 3D-printed custom fittings to match the exact geometry of the Ostrea — a process that lets us test new materials quickly and optimize designs on the fly.
This combination of digital tools makes our production fast, consistent, and scalable. What used to take weeks of back-and-forth fitting can now be achieved in days.
Step 4: The Final Fit
When we brought the finished sun shade to the boat, it clicked into place seamlessly — no adjustments, no wrinkles, no wasted time. The marine-grade canvas stretched perfectly, creating clean lines and a solid shade area that transformed the aft deck into a comfortable retreat.
What was once an open, exposed area now feels like a completely new space — shaded, inviting, and elegant.
Step 5: Beyond One Boat: custom center console shades
While this sun shade was designed specifically for the Ocqueteau 7.1 Ostrea, the real achievement lies in the process itself. Everything was created digitally — from the initial scan to the final CAD model — we can now adapt this design to other custom center console shades quickly and easily.
We already have the digital framework, tested materials, and validated fittings. With a few adjustments, we can create new versions for other models, maintaining the same speed, quality, and precision.
A Glimpse of the future of marine fabrication
This project is more than a product, it’s proof of how digital craftsmanship can redefine marine upholstery. With each new design, we’re reducing fabrication time, improving quality, and offering boat owners smarter, faster upgrades that enhance their experience on the water.
You can see this sun shade live at the Salón Náutico de Barcelona, or explore the full story and design process on our website.
If you are interested into this boat, please contact Blanes Nautic, official retailer in the mediterranean area for Ocqueteau.
https://en.ocqueteau.com/
If you are interested in a shading solution like this, contact us at
info@acnautitech.com
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