Boom tent Ideas.

[Pagetslady]

Ok I already have a huge boom tent but it takes an age to put up and take down, and when its up its not easy to get on and off the boat. But I have had this idea I have a large boom and in mast reefing -, what I am looking for is an awning that is rolled into an ally tube which can be bolted to the boom one on each side around 6' long and will extend around 6' either side and with bungies attach to the guard wires or stanchions, when released I want it to wind back in by means of a coil spring. I have looked for caravan awnings etc but they are all very heavy construction and much too long. eventually it would be great to get the mechanics of the roll up mechanism to fit into the boom and just the end of the tent material protruding out through a slot in the boom ready to be pulled out when needed it would also make a very good sunshade over the helmsman when motoring. I am sure there is a manufacturer out there, anyone know of a web site I can look at.
regards Mike

 

[sarabande]

I reckon the additional mass of the canvas and tubing is going to make the boom rather heavy. This will impact on the shape and life of the sail, and perhaps will require a rethink on the vang/gas strut, and mainsheet.

Does your boom have a luff groove in the under surface ? You might think about running a sheet of canvas with a luff foil in the middle of it, and sliding it in when you need a tent.


Bit difficult to suggest any other ideas without a pic.

 

[Searush]

This one's a doddle to put up & has loads of room cos it doesn't sag in. It's just an oblong of vinyl "canvas" with fibreglass tent poles slipped into the seams to create the Covered waggon effect. All stores away below in a relatively small space.

Recently replaced by a pair of sprayhoods & a zip-out infill which is even better but cost me a month's income!

 

[flobbets]

Just what I need for our Pentland, Searush! May I ask where you got it?
Mike

 

[William_H]

Boom mass

Just at the other extreme on booms. I built a carbon fibre boom for my little 21fter. It is quite a tender boat and I tend to drive it like a BMX bike. However by halving the weight of the boom and getting rid of a spin pole that was carried on the boom the gybes particularly are a much more gentle affair and I do believe the boat is less tender. Obviously if you are overpowered in a gust you let the main out allowing the boom to become movable ballast hanging out on the wrong side.
So I would not endorse adding extra weight to the boom if you like boisterous sailing.
PS nice looking boat Searush
olewill

 

[Poignard]

That 'prairie train' cover is a neat idea. Something like that would also be useful if you had to carry out a repair on deck in wet weather.

Is it self-supporting?

 

[vyv_cox]

Does your boom have a luff groove in the under surface ? You might think about running a sheet of canvas with a luff foil in the middle of it, and sliding it in when you need a tent.

Or on similar lines, attach luff grooves each side of the boom and slide the awning along them when required. This system is used a lot by big boats in the Med.

 

[maxi77]

That 'prairie train' cover is a neat idea. Something like that would also be useful if you had to carry out a repair on deck in wet weather.

Is it self-supporting?

We had something similar on our Maxi 77. Worked very well and took high winds well

 

[Tranona]

luff grooves on the side of the boom would be a good idea. I have similar things to take my stackpack. You can get them in plastic so they are light weight and can be screwed or pop riveted to the boom. As Vyv says, they are common in the Med. However, if you have in mast reefing even luff grooves are too complicated. Simple straps with velcro over the boom if you want it hanging under.

Think that any mechanism to house the awning permanently on the boom would be heavy and complicated, and don't recall ever seeing anything like it.

 

[Fascadale]

I like the covered wagon model.

How does it fix at the deck?

 

[Fantasie 19]

...what I am looking for is an awning that is rolled into an ally tube which can be bolted to the boom one on each side around 6' long and will extend around 6' either side and with bungies attach to the guard wires or stanchions...

In wet weather wouldn't it drip between the ally tube and boom???

 

[Searush]

OK, following the interest shown in this;

The white vinyl cover came with the boat as a standard over boom cover but with beam wind (not unusual in harbour or when dried out) the sides bellied in & the boom moves so you lose a lot of space inside. I bought some flexible tent poles off e-bay (I have since acquired more from a tent binned after a windy weekend at a camp site). Most boom covers have folded hems to prevent the edges fraying & if you slit across these at one end you can slide the poles into the seam. All you need to do then is pull the edges down & trap them inside the guard rail or toe rail (or even the cockpit sides if your cover iis a bit short) & you have a tunnel tent supported solely by the boom & the poles.

Even gales have little impact on this if you use the heavier guage poles rather than the very light ones. I eventually replaced it because the ketch rig means I have a short boom so 1/2 the cockpit was still out in the rain. A cheap tunnel tent with the floor cut out would probably work well. should be plenty of bargains in the camping shops at the moment.

 

[Clive]

cover

I desighed and had a made made up by SD sails cockpit covering, (you can see a picture on their web site)
It uses sail battens sewen into a canvas, the ends are clipped to the to gaurd rail, under compression and goes over the boom, (not touching it) and I have a clear plastic pannel zipped onto the transom end. It covers the cockpit to the back stay to 4ft behind the mast, The spray hood can be up or down.

It keeps most of the cockpit dry, with plenty of venterlation, when not in use, it is rolled up on the side deck. and great view out of the back pannel.

great when you want a little more protection whilst moored up.

 

[Norman_E]

Or on similar lines, attach luff grooves each side of the boom and slide the awning along them when required. This system is used a lot by big boats in the Med.

Vyv, I have been trying to find suitable "grooves" to attach either side of my boom for the same purpose. Do you know what the sections are actually called, or who makes the? I am hoping to buy some that I can coil up and take out to the boat, but have not found anything yet.

 

[Poignard]

Vyv, I have been trying to find suitable "grooves" to attach either side of my boom for the same purpose. Do you know what the sections are actually called, or who makes the? I am hoping to buy some that I can coil up and take out to the boat, but have not found anything yet.

Something like this?

http://www.allenbrothers.co.uk/item.asp?cat_id=10&prod_id=98

 

[rob2]

Vyv, I have been trying to find suitable "grooves" to attach either side of my boom for the same purpose. Do you know what the sections are actually called, or who makes them? I am hoping to buy some that I can coil up and take out to the boat, but have not found anything yet.

The same type of profile is sold for caravan use in ali or plastic as "awning rail".

 

[Tranona]

That is the type that I use - supplied with the Stack Pack by Kemps, but pretty sure freely available from caravan suppliers.

 

[Norman_E]

Something like this?

http://www.allenbrothers.co.uk/item.asp?cat_id=10&prod_id=98

That looks good, but only if I can get it in Turkey. Plastic caravan awning rail might be a good idea though.

 

[maxi77]

That looks good, but only if I can get it in Turkey. Plastic caravan awning rail might be a good idea though.

The real advantage of the caravan stuff is that you can get matching tape to fit the groove, just like matching your sail luff tape to the forestay groove.

Many sailmakers and caravan shops sell both, you may well find a local sailmaker or canvas worker who can supply both.