Soft Cabin/Boom Tent

[mattp]

Dale posted a pic on Lennie's build thread showing a really nicely constructed fabric cabin and has inspired me to start a new thread. This is something I have been trying to work out in my head even before we started building the CS-17.

Eventually, I hope to make (or have made) something very similar to what Dale has shown. It would fold down flat and be strapped to the deck forward of the coaming when not in use. I'd also like to have an intermediate position (partially up) to act as a spray dodger. This may be a year or two down the road.

In the meantime, I roughed out a pennytech tent from left over tarp, PVC conduit, and line.

It's cheap, quick to set up, but probably not ideal. I realize It will only be a valid temporary solution because I have a bivy sack I can use if it really starts to rain.

So, hopefully Dale and others can shed some light and photos on what has worked for camping enclosures. Did you make or have someone else make? How long does it take to set up?

[mcdermitt]

I think this is a great.  I for one need to find a way  to get out of weather when the time comes I have not been able to do much on boat in last few weeks because of work (7x12) for about 7 weeks.  off till end of Jan then (6x10).  I have started painting the bottom with allgrip primer as soon as finished I will flip it and start on inside most has been cut and fitted  painted with clear epoxy 2 coats at least  LET SEE SOME PIC AND DETAILS
Thanks
McDermitt

[Dale Niemann]

Well since you mentioned me, I will comment and attach to this post a photo of Lively's cabin.  It is made of Sunbrella, was custom made and very expensive.

 

It has several features which I really like.  It has zippered openings in both the forward and aft with screens or windows/fabric.  It also has a nice window on each side.  It folds down flat forward of the combing.  It has proven very waterproof and dry in all kinds of weather. As you can see in the photos the cabin extends back to just forward of the Mizzen mast.  I have drop in slat boards which convert this area into one big flat area or as I usually do just one half flat with my "pottie" on the other side.  This also allows complete upright sitting position on that side.  I am 5'8" and can lay straight out on one side.

 

On the negative side.  I have one very strong one that I wish I had done differently.  By my choice I made the cabin high enough that I can almost stand up in for dressing, etc.  However, this has proven to be a detriment because every time I want to go for a sail I must lower the cabin. So I would recommend making the height below the sail so you can sail with it up.One other problem which is not really that big but is strange or inconvenient.  The cabin is totally dry in rains.  However, since aft of the cabin is open water accumulates in floor area which in the CS  17 extends forward under the drop down boards.  This means bailing or wet feet at "certain" times.  The other thing is a potential problem which has not happened so far but could.  Those little flying monsters that bite could enter through the bottom.  Changing my drop in from slats to solid pieces and giving up my "pottie" spot would solve the bug problem which really has not been a problem yet. I remember the North Channel.  It would be a problem there or in many spots in FL.  I just have been lucky so far.

 

I believe Wes had a design which looked very nice and was hard but was very low.

 

my opinions.

 

Have fun designing yours.

 

dale

 

dale

[mattp]

Thanks Dale! It does look very nice and I believe the "very expensive" part. Yours is taller than I envisioned and I wouldn't need anywhere near standing headroom. How does it behave at anchor without a stern line?

As far as sailing with the tent up, I feel like I would have to do some creative rerouting with the main sheet to keep from chafing the tent, even if there was plenty of clearance with the foot of the sail. That would be a big selling feature for sure though. I think the intermediate dodger position would be more attainable.

Another thought I had is to make a removable skin-on-frame cabin that would bolt or clamp in place for solo cruising and removable for family/group day sailing.

[makenmend]

My setup was cobbled up from the material from one of those 10' fold up shade tents that got blown over in wind gust and bent beyond recovery.

The frame work is 1/2'' schedule 80 pvc, this was meant to be a template before going to aluminum, but has proven to be more than sturdy enough as is.

The Bimini fittings (from Duckworks) work great.

The  pvc was heated and bent using a large coffee can as a mandrel, pretty easy really.

I assembled the frame work, cutting as required, to just clear under the mainsail, and held together with copious amounts of masking tape. I used some inexpensive material and spring clamps to get my cut template. Sail rite has a good video on Bimini construction, that gives a good explanation of this.

So after much frustration at my sewing skills to start with, eventually it came together, I did a full length zipper at the rear but no windows as yet, I sewed a looped hem all around the base and threaded 1/4'' bungee cord through, burned holes with a soldering iron every 6'' and lashing hooks on the outside of my combing at corresponding points.

Made solid fillers, hinged on center to enable  access and sit up function, around center board trunk. Then sprayed a liberal amount of silicone water repellant and seam sealed the seams.

Had a doozie of a thunderstorm a couple of nights later with very gusty winds and heavy rain, so I sat out there with my flash lite and was pleased to say the least when it  remained dry and intact. But as Dale pointed out I had 3'' accumulation of water in the boat, At Sail Oklahoma this past year  I arrived early and slept on board quite comfortably, but by the weekend of the event we had heavy rain and winds, and I did a lot of bailing.  This was resolved pretty well using a 9'x 12' tarp over the mizzen sprit and very little got into the boat.

 

MM

[makenmend]

At Sail Oklahoma before the storms

 

And during the storms.

 

 

For sailing it folds down in seconds and is bungee down. It raises almost as quickly.

 

MM

 

 

 

 

 

[mattp]

Makenmend,

 

A couple of months ago I noticed a picture of your boat with the tent up on Jim Michalak's newsletter and saved a copy as an excellent example of what I am after.  I didn't expect to find out that this was a DIY job.  Nice work and very encouraging to me!

 

Is it possible to sail with it up?  Is it possible to fold the 2 U shaped frames together to leave up as a half tent or dodger? I can imagine you would need something to hold it in this position.

[makenmend]

mattp, I have not tried sailing with the Dodger up, doing a dry run I found it would be necessary to change the sheeting run for the Main, which I haven't attempted yet.

 

It would be possible to  run with the 2nd loop folded but it restricts your line of sight so I never did that, it go's up/down so quickly I didn't consider it worthwhile. However in last years Texas 200, running Baffin Bay with a quartering head sea, getting soaked and shipping water I will rethink this when the weather warms up so I can play around with that idea.

 

MM