I hate camping

[Sailorsam101]

I love my targa but I hate the blue tent in top.
I've had it a year now and done over 100 ours so I know here very well. What I have found is when the blue tent gets cold it shrinks...a lot...so much that I cannot get it back onto the poppers.

Spent a great day out today..got back in the dark tonight...tried to put the front tent back on and not a chance...it got cold and has shrunk.

Is this just me or does anybody else have the same issue?

Next boat will not have such a big tent.

 

[[2068]]

"Less Tent" is one of the reasons I went for the SC35.
There is still canvas at the back, but it's not so painful.

 

[rafiki_]

Yep, David is right. However, tensioning with elasticated rope is also great help.

 

[jrudge]

I see a hardtop on a targa thread coming

 

[girlofwight]

I've had a popper based tent before, absolute PITA - elastic loops are much easier to work with. We have a huge tent and fly bridge cover contraption, and it is so simple to work with.

 

[oGaryo]

I used to have one of these until I loaned it to a guy further down the pontoon, never got it back.. good tool for addressing the issue depending on the type off poppers you have in the canvas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqNudl7pwUg

 

[rubberduck]

The frame must have a way of tensioning, simply loosen, pop cover back & re tighten.

 

[Wavey]

We struggled with this problem for many years with our previous boat. Life is so much easier now with the Broom as the forward section works on the same principle as a pram hood. Simply remove the quarter sections each side, undo 3 tension clips and the whole front section (hood and frame) folds back against the arch.

So simple, and the other really good point is if you get caught out with a sudden change in the weather it takes literally seconds to drop it back into place and keep the helm dry.

I'm not saying you should buy a Broom , just that I'm really surprised other builders haven't done the same.

 

[No Regrets]

The Scand has elastics on one edge, perfect! They can be easily replaced every few years for a fiver!

 

[BruceK]

can't say I've had that issue. My frame is adjustable and the main tension points are strap rather than poppers although poppers account for most points. Conversely I really like the versatility of a soft top and find it warms the boat just nicely without resorting to heaters. Each to his own I suppose.

 

[Sailorsam101]

The problem is with the three front windows that pop ontop of the metal frames. They are find at the top to the radar arch and are a tight fit.

They need to be tight. I know that when I go down today in the sun they will go straight in.

 

[BruceK]

Perhaps the simplest solution for you would to be mindful of where you stored them when they are off.