cat-ketch tents

[Guest wwbaginski]

I'm curious how many tent ideas have been developed by 17' owners? Even not realized. I know one from BRS15 webpage, but I'm thinking on one which doesn't reqaire movig the mizzen mast to the central position. Any others will be appreciate, though.

[Dale Niemann]

Here is "Lively's" tent cabin.  Next time I would lower the cabin to below sail height.

[John Turpin]

I can't show a photo, but over the winter I bought a bimini that was designed for inflatables.  Its dimensions seem close enough and it came with windowed, zip-on enclosure walls.  I'm going to try to cut it to size and turn it into a cockpit tent for the Lapwing.  It would only cover the area behind the mizzen mast.  This would be cozy, but should be enough room for one to sleep diagonally back there.  I guess I could always just move the mizzen mast to the third step, but I'd rather have a system that doesn't require that.

If it works out, I'd only take the bimini tent along on camping cruises.  If I can get the size right, the tube arch will fold backward and live under the side decks and along the inside of the transom.  To deploy, I'd raise the mizzen sprit out of the way and then rotate the bimini up.  I'd then zip on the walls.  

Now, I haven't really tried any of this, so your mileage may vary.  Actually, my mileage may vary.  But, I've got the thing in my closet and hope to work on it this summer.

[Guest wwbaginski]

Dale: thank you, it looks like an interesting idea to be developed on BRS series, as BRS has the  fore cockpit much longer than CS.

John: as far as I know you're building a Lapwing type which has similar long front cockpits? Please make a pencil sketch of your idea if you have no photos... I'll appreciate it a lot.

[Guest wwbaginski]

I've  checked today that the fore cockpit is long enough to accomodate me sleeping looks like the simplest solution would be to spread a rope between masts and put a tent over the cockpit. I'll try it this summer I hope...

[paul_stewart]

W,

Not bad for calm air.  Without additional structure, a good breeze with cause the sides of that simple shelter to oscillate: the higher the wind, the louder the flapping noise.   In contrast, wind is less of a problem if the shelter has more structure; e.g., fabric stretched over curved tent poles such as in dome-shaped camping tents.

--Paul  

... simplest solution would be to spread a rope between masts and put a tent over the cockpit...

p.s.    This is one of those "don't ask me why I know that"  situations.  Been there, done that, there was a lot of flapping noise all night.  But "your mileage may vary." 

[Hirilonde]

If the forward end is open and there is more than a slight breeze then you will have any and all weather, including rain funnel through the tent as well.  Simple tents are fine for sun shelter at anchor, but won't make for an all weather sleeping quarters.

If I ever build one of the 15 - 20 foot B&B boats, and decide to camp/cruise it I will have a dodger made for the forward end of the cockpit with Izenglass windows.  This could be used for sailing as well, though I don't think I would use if for regular daysailing.  I would then have a zipper on it to attach a tent similar to what Paul is describing using bent poles.  This would create a rigid tent, closed up forward and extend back to cover a good section of the cockpit.  I think something along these lines creates the best compromise between dry comfortable sleeping/hanging out and keeping the boat the daysailer it was really designed to be.  This would require some serious sewing skills, or jobbing it out to an experienced marine canvas person.

[Guest wwbaginski]

Thanks a lot for comments. Day sailing is what these boats do best. My tent is intended to give an accidental overhight accomodation while stuck away from a home port by dead calm rather , not a strong breeze.  Mosquito nets  hanging on open sides should make all the necessary safety&comfort.

[Gordy Hill]

Ok, you FORCED me to try to learn how to use the "scan" on my printer.

If a picture happens I'll explane it in the next post....

[Gordy Hill]

These were taken in 2000 at the Great Race. SawDust had a short fore deck so I could have a large casting deck at seat height. The tent is a custom-made Bimini top with sides. The windows open to no-see-um mesh and the screen in the front window also had zippers so I could tend the anchor rode from inside. The rear wall was all mesh. The whole thing folded forward, and after disconnecting the frame, tucked under the side decks. The interior was 8 1/2 feet by 5 feet and high enough to sit comfortably when the floorboards were out. It left two wells for feet when sitting and a large area for cooking etc. With the floorboards fitted it was one big sleeping area with the centerboard horn there to separate the sleepers.

It worked so well I sold the boat with the idea of later building a boat with a cabin. As it turned out, when we used the boat for fishing we just got out and waded. We could wake up in the middle of the flats. One night in the Banana River in the 'no motor zone' near Canaveral there was a launch at about 03:00.

                                                                              .....They really aught to tell a guy....

[Doug Cameron]

[Scott Dufour]

Doug,

I really like the combo dodger/ convert-to-tent.  Is this a standard aftermarket bimini frame?  If so, which one?  How adjustable and customizable are these biminis?

[Hirilonde]

Doug,

That is exactly what I envision.  Add the tent and you will have a really cozy space.

[Doug Cameron]

I bought the frame from Sailrite.  It's stainless instead of aluminum (stronger).  I sewed the material out of sunbrella and the clear plastic for windows that Sailrite sels.  You order a wider frame and then cut it down to fit.

One thing I didn't get done in time is to put a zipper around one of the front windows to give better access to the front deck.  When the pad eye for the snotter came out of the mast (ss screws were tapped into the mast and stripped the threads in the aluminum mast) in the night off the Everglades,  I had to step around the side, holding onto the dodger top, to build a new mast attachment out of line.  (The final fix when I got home is a bail like is sometimes used for a boom vang or mainsheet.  That way the screws are having a sheer force rather than the in-line force that stripped them out.)

I hope this helps.

[Dale Niemann]

Doug,

Please post a photo of your bail fix.

Thanks,

Dale

[Scott Dufour]

Sailrite- thanks Doug.

[koaloha05]

W,

Not bad for calm air.  Without additional structure, a good breeze with cause the sides of that simple shelter to oscillate: the higher the wind, the louder the flapping noise.  In contrast, wind is less of a problem if the shelter has more structure; e.g., fabric stretched over curved tent poles such as in dome-shaped camping tents.

--Paul 

... simplest solution would be to spread a rope between masts and put a tent over the cockpit...

p.s.    This is one of those "don't ask me why I know that"  situations.  Been there, done that, there was a lot of flapping noise all night.  But "your mileage may vary." 

Catenary cut on the tarp edges & ridge line if using silnylon or Spinntex may reduce any flapping. Use of Cuben for tarp fabric may eliminate the need for cat cuts on the edges.  The cat cut creates a nice taut edge.  At least on land the cat cut Spinntex tarp I use hammock camping has withstood +30 knot gusts without any issues.