BoatTENT...... Your thoughts?

Not sure how durable it is or easy to patch the air leaks you will be getting given the number of things it is likely to catch and rub on in most boats. What price are they quoting?

I have a Habitent and think it's great (no connection) for what I want. That takes about six minutes to put up, goes into smallish a bag, and it is very light.

A more permanent made to measure cover is probably always going to be best to maximize space and longevity but then you pays your money.....
 
If it anything like the blow up tents, I'd steer well clear! The idea is great but it just dosn't hold the air pressure for long

My thought too. I remember having to pump up igloo tents in the middle of the night! I cannot see any info on the site about the 'inflatable' part. Lots of high tech materials in some of it but no mention I can see about the most crucial one.
 
I'm thinking of trying to adapt the outer skin of one of the tents (like the one below) with fibreglass poles of a suitable size for use in winter as a cockpit tent, where the front porch interfaces with the sprayhood & with zips (velcro?) fitted up the middle of the two sides for opening. These tents are available for 40 or 50 quid. I'm not convinced about the inflatable one & the habitent looks to fit much better on some boats than others...

tent.jpg
 
I remember the first inflateable tent I ever saw was a mate's at a music festival. Mate went off to see some bands while we (in a VW van..) chilled out and had a drink. I looked at his tent and realised there were only four pegs holding it in place. I mentioned it to someone else, and we had exactly the same thought. Pulled out the four pegs and carried it to another field. I remember the look on his face was classic. Can't remember if we ever found it again though.
 
Inflatable tents seem to be back in fashion Go Outdoors were selling them last season. What I am currently getting a price for is a cockpit tent like the one in the picture. It’s quick to put up, store and allows the use of the cockpit in showers.

We've got something similar that's been a lifesaver when in port for a couple of days and it's pouring down.

Having used it for a bit, if buying another I'd try and get one end made up to meet the deck and stop the breeze ripping through it.
 
I'm thinking of trying to adapt the outer skin of one of the tents (like the one below) with fibreglass poles of a suitable size for use in winter as a cockpit tent, where the front porch interfaces with the sprayhood & with zips (velcro?) fitted up the middle of the two sides for opening. These tents are available for 40 or 50 quid. I'm not convinced about the inflatable one & the habitent looks to fit much better on some boats than others...

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What a stupid idea! :-)

But one that I have done on my 34 footer.

http://www.halfords.com/car-seats-t...avanning/all-tents/aventura-4-man-tunnel-tent

The forward section fits over the sprayhood very nicely and is secured by the fitted guy lines in the same way as shown on the habitent video.

Because of this I have only used three of the four poles which bent nicely into position and at the moment are simply tied to the guard rail. Again the guy lines are tied off to the stern. Tension seems good and it feels solid. Groundsheets and inner linings have been discarded for this project but have some ideas for them. I moved the mainsheet to the outside rail and lifted the boom.

This tent has a wide opening door just at the right place for my boat giving access on the port side.

There hasn't been a big blow yet so who knows how it will cope but I doubt anything would rip - my biggest concern is the poles coming lose and I'd like some better stanchion fittings.

Not a lot of rain so far but I can't see anywhere where it could collect.

What does it look like? Well, to be honest it looks like I have pitched a tent on my boat, but for 50 quid worth a go even if it only lasts rest of the Winter season. Yes, I'd like a pro job, but the cost prevents.

Tony
 
A few years ago I purchased some standard "canvas" from our local sail/tent provider and sewed it up as an over-the-boom cockpit tent. held to guard wires with bungee and clips. No zips to jam and no windows to become opaque/tear.

It provides good protection from wind and rain provided you do not want a total hermetically sealed environment.

My winter project is to split it along the boom line, sew in a beading and fit a channel each side of the boom. That way it will be more manageable to rig and also can be used as a single side wind or sun shade (eternal optimist that I am) whilst leaving the leeward/shady side clear.
 
I remember the first inflateable tent I ever saw was a mate's at a music festival. Mate went off to see some bands while we (in a VW van..) chilled out and had a drink. I looked at his tent and realised there were only four pegs holding it in place. I mentioned it to someone else, and we had exactly the same thought. Pulled out the four pegs and carried it to another field. I remember the look on his face was classic. Can't remember if we ever found it again though.

And he was a 'MATE'. What on earth do you do to people you don't regard as mates. :confused:
 
What a stupid idea! :-)

But one that I have done on my 34 footer.

http://www.halfords.com/car-seats-t...avanning/all-tents/aventura-4-man-tunnel-tent

The forward section fits over the sprayhood very nicely and is secured by the fitted guy lines in the same way as shown on the habitent video.

Because of this I have only used three of the four poles which bent nicely into position and at the moment are simply tied to the guard rail. Again the guy lines are tied off to the stern. Tension seems good and it feels solid. Groundsheets and inner linings have been discarded for this project but have some ideas for them. I moved the mainsheet to the outside rail and lifted the boom.

This tent has a wide opening door just at the right place for my boat giving access on the port side.

There hasn't been a big blow yet so who knows how it will cope but I doubt anything would rip - my biggest concern is the poles coming lose and I'd like some better stanchion fittings.

Not a lot of rain so far but I can't see anywhere where it could collect.

What does it look like? Well, to be honest it looks like I have pitched a tent on my boat, but for 50 quid worth a go even if it only lasts rest of the Winter season. Yes, I'd like a pro job, but the cost prevents.

Tony

Yeah I think it could work well enough if I can find one that fits the boat without monkeying with it very much. That one you've used is good with the opening already in the right place. If the fit is ok I don't see that it would look any more out of place than the habitent or boattent, in fact it could become the "SHABItent", I could get some stick on plastic letters for it, see how much interest it generates! One of those small jeanneau motor/fishing boats opposite me, they used to pitch a tent on the roof of it in summer, now that did look a bit odd...
 
I must say I was intrigued until I saw what I consider to be an eyesore... It may be practical but it's damned ugly...
 
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