Practicality of Cockpit Tent as "another room" in UK

CaptainBob

CaptainBob

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www.yacht-forum.co.uk
We're looking for our next boat to live on as our Westerly Tempest is going to become too small when our new crew member is born. Really liking the look and idea of something with a pilot house because we could do with a space for me to work on the net (that's my job), and a "dayroom" for mum and youth. Wondering if we should also consider boats which have (and can have) a fully enclosed cockpit tent? We could install a load of cushions - and a beanbag - or something.

We'll be living aboard in the UK, so it will need to be heated in the winter. Unsure how practical or expensive that will be - compared to a pilot house.

Obviously if we open up our search to include vessels we can add a tent to it gives us a lot more choices.

Thank you!!
(PS. We are near experts in condensation avoidance.)
 
I would look at pilot house/wheel house, cockpit tents are fine in warmer climes, but almost imposible to keep draft free and waterproof in UK, plus of course a pig/expensive to heat. I have a huge aft deck tent and even with the best will in the world and a good design, not very warm in winter even in Barcelona.
 
Big cockpit tents in the UK do make a difference - but not enough when it's blowing a hoolie and peeing down with rain ...

When it's a nice calm day and the sun is out then it becomes a greenhouse and is warmer than down below .. (no heating on).

Ours stays up 24/7/365 (well - when we're not using the boat) and is great - I wouldn't be without it - but we don't NEED the space - it's an option for us.
 
you might like to have a word with Caer Urfa of this forum. He knows the whereabouts of Colvic Watsons with wheelhouses.


I had one for over five years, and the wheelhouse makes a wonderful and inspiring office.
 
We have a cockpit tent and wouldn't be without it. It's referred to as the conservatory. It offers somewhere to hang wet kit, acts as an airlock into the rest of the boat and generally makes life more pleasent in the winter. However, it's never going to be an extra room during the cold, wet weather for all the reasons given above. If you really need the extra room for an addition to the family, then you probably need to think about either a wheelhouse layout or something like a Nauticat, with an enclosed wheel house.

Whatever, enjoy your new addition.
 
We have one on our HR its perfect for those early and late season days when its a bit frosty. When we had a winter onboard in Portugal with frost on the decks it was great we closed up the cockpit and left the slides out. Again with a large band of late teenagers on board they all slept up there.
 
CaptainBob said:
We're looking for our next boat to live on as our Westerly Tempest is going to become too small when our new crew member is born. Really liking the look and idea of something with a pilot house because we could do with a space for me to work on the net (that's my job), and a "dayroom" for mum and youth. Wondering if we should also consider boats which have (and can have) a fully enclosed cockpit tent? We could install a load of cushions - and a beanbag - or something.

We'll be living aboard in the UK, so it will need to be heated in the winter. Unsure how practical or expensive that will be - compared to a pilot house.

Obviously if we open up our search to include vessels we can add a tent to it gives us a lot more choices.

Thank you!!
(PS. We are near experts in condensation avoidance.)
Click to expand...

Our cockpit tent has seen us proud for the past six years, even in -15c in Norway.

Provided that you have adequate heating down below the hot air rises and keep the tent cosy. Agree that drafts can be a prob but nothing that a few well positioned cockpit cushions can't cure. If they can't I suggest that the tect hasn't been fitted too well.....
 
We have lived onboard on the south coast of the Uk for the past 3 years. A cockpit tent was the first thing we bought, before heating! The £1100 we spent on a higher sprayhood and cockpit tent was money well spent in my opinion. It allows us to keep the washboards open, allowing light into the saloon in inclement weather. It also allows us to keep our bikes onboard, as well as giving us another room for drying clothes. It is like a conservatory, gets warmer than down below. Easy to put up and take down, only takes 10 minutes each way.
 
We have just spent the afternoon sitting out a F8 with an absolute downpouring of rain watching TV in our cockpit. Admitedly it is 'summer' at the moment but on the day that we had it fitted in December we did sit out that evening eating dinner.
Whilst I think it makes the boat look a bit like a caravan, she considers it the best money we have spent (I could name a number of gadgets that I think were better but can see what she means...)
Additionally when the weather gets better (i.e. when we leave the UK) we can take it off and I can have my sailing boat back - it will certainly increase your potential choice of boats.
 
CaptainBob said:
We're looking for our next boat to live on as our Westerly Tempest is going to become too small when our new crew member is born. Really liking the look and idea of something with a pilot house because we could do with a space for me to work on the net (that's my job), and a "dayroom" for mum and youth. Wondering if we should also consider boats which have (and can have) a fully enclosed cockpit tent? We could install a load of cushions - and a beanbag - or something.

We'll be living aboard in the UK, so it will need to be heated in the winter. Unsure how practical or expensive that will be - compared to a pilot house.

Obviously if we open up our search to include vessels we can add a tent to it gives us a lot more choices.

Thank you!!
(PS. We are near experts in condensation avoidance.)
Click to expand...


Hi Captain

We have an aft cabin and fully enclosed cockpit tent . When you and your lady wife are in this area or indeed if you have transport pay us a visit and have a look and get a "feel" for the arrangement before deciding one way or another.
This is our 5th year of living onboard with this arrangement .

Regards

Terry
 
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Been there, done that, got the T-shirt.

Piccies of my (ahem) marine awning

PB070679.jpg


PB070675.jpg


PB070676.jpg
 
ChrisE said:
Our cockpit tent has seen us proud for the past six years, even in -15c in Norway.

Provided that you have adequate heating down below the hot air rises and keep the tent cosy. Agree that drafts can be a prob but nothing that a few well positioned cockpit cushions can't cure. If they can't I suggest that the tect hasn't been fitted too well.....
Click to expand...

I agree. We have a cockpit tent - we call it the conservatory/tent and use in all year round. I have heating down below an din the winter if I leave the companionway open the heat rises and heats the tent! Used it in f9, snow and -10 no problem. As said above it's all about design although in winter condensation is a BIG issue when it cools down after use.

We looked at Pilot house boats before we decided to buy Temptress and have never regretted it. We wanted the sailing ability. If you really need extra room and intend staying put perhaps you should rent a flat and keep a smaller boat to sail weekends.:rolleyes:
 
Many many thanks for all the replies!! As ever, it's going to be a compromise one way or the other.

BUT! Rent a flat!?!?! Madness!!

Loving the retro-fit tent :)

Yep, T&V, probably see you about in the next month or so! You still in Brixham?

Thanks again!
 
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