Sailing with the cockpit tent up ?

[wully1]

So, Who sails with the cockpit tent up?

Somewhat reluctantly I've sold my Eclipse and bought a centre cockpit boat with a full cockpit enclosure. when moored this is a great invention but I've yet to sail with it up.

I can see the problems sailing well off the wind with the main up as a sudden gybe would cause all sorts of issues. I watched a youtube video a while back of two blokes sailing in high latitudes and they spent a lot of time sailing under the cockpit tent - looked a lot more comfortable.

 

[jac]

Have done it. Centre cockpit with full enclosure.

I have sides and rear that can be rolled up but prefer the whole thing down.

Be aware of the reduced visibility even with back /sides rolled up but could in the rain.

 

[Heckler]

So, Who sails with the cockpit tent up?

Somewhat reluctantly I've sold my Eclipse and bought a centre cockpit boat with a full cockpit enclosure. when moored this is a great invention but I've yet to sail with it up.

I can see the problems sailing well off the wind with the main up as a sudden gybe would cause all sorts of issues. I watched a youtube video a while back of two blokes sailing in high latitudes and they spent a lot of time sailing under the cockpit tent - looked a lot more comfortable.

I designed my cockpit enclosure so that we could sail with it up, JKA Jonothan said you cant do that if you are racing! We aint and Swmbo insisted! It works good, sides roll up to make a bimini, windward side down when its cooler, both sides down keeps us cozy in really cold. Crossing Biscay we lived in it basically!
Stu

 

[Vegable]

I designed my cockpit enclosure so that we could sail with it up, JKA Jonothan said you cant do that if you are racing! We aint and Swmbo insisted! It works good, sides roll up to make a bimini, windward side down when its cooler, both sides down keeps us cozy in really cold. Crossing Biscay we lived in it basically!
Stu

JKA Jonothan did mine too. Was reluctant to use it whilst sailing till I went to the Faroes. Since then it's rarely been down. I find that it steams up unless you have the lee side doorway open, and I also don't like the lack of "wind feel" around your ears. There is also the problem of reduced visibility so it's always lowered entering and leaving harbours and anchorages whatever the weather. Night passages in drizzle are a delight!
Along with lazyjacks on my last boat, I'd class it as the best thing I've added to the boat. The difference it makes to comfort and warmth when underway is amazing. You have an out of the way place to hang wet oilys when at anchor and dining in the cockpit in cool evennings is a real joy.
You're lucky to have one 'cause they're not cheap.. Make the most of it.
Mike

Re the 2 guys on utube, I emailed them about theirs. It wasn't specially strengthened and they used it in F8s without any problems. Not sure if I'd take it that far. Mine folds down like a pram hood behind the steering position when open and have found it sometimes lifts if not tied down. Found that out last year during KeelBoat week at Abersoch.

 

[maby]

Ours is a bimini with roll-up sides to make a cockpit tent. We never fold the bimini back, but do usually roll up most of the side panels because they have a significant impact on visibility. Sailing with the sides down would also impact on the usability of the winches - they would block a full turn on the winch handle, leaving us having to ratchet them backwards and forwards.

 

[Quandary]

Steaming up seems to be a major problem.
Our Finngulf was moored alongside at Crinan when a passing Canadian yacht came along and pushed his bowsprit through the Avon dinghy and the pushpit breaking a 14mm. mooring line in the process. The repairs cost him about nearly £1.5k, he did not want to involve his insurance because of the circumstances. The owner was very apologetic confessing that he just could not see our white hulled boat because the inflated Avon across the stern was grey.
Locked out heading for the Dorus Mohr a couple of days later, steamed up enough that you could not see if there was anyone in the cockpit.
It would be very difficult to persuade me that closing the cockpit up tight when under way was anything other than irresponsible I suspect insurers might take the same view.

 

[DJE]

Used to row our Wayfarer with the boom tent up!

 

[NormanB]

Drake on Paragon does it all the time (You Tube) he has a wee centre zip section that he pokes his head out of when close inshore

 

[EuanMcKenzie]

I designed my cockpit enclosure so that we could sail with it up, JKA Jonothan said you cant do that if you are racing! We aint and Swmbo insisted! It works good, sides roll up to make a bimini, windward side down when its cooler, both sides down keeps us cozy in really cold. Crossing Biscay we lived in it basically!
Stu

+1 same set up works well especially with good visibility forward through glass windscreen.

 

[sailaboutvic]

We just finished our fully cockpit enclosed ,
It's made in a way that you can sail with it up given 360 view , just the sides or if your running just the back .
It makes life sailing in the winter months very enjoyable .
Sitting out in it in the rain having breakfast is just great ,much warmer then down below .
Has liveaboard its used most night to sit and chat or watch a bit of TV .
We had the same on our last boat .
Wouldn't be without it .

 

[Garold]

+1 to most of the above except never had the fogging window issues.

The cockpit canopy was great across Biscay, and for any night sailing on the way down to the Med.

I think that when designing them, it's worth considering lots of versatility. It costs more to include more zips for removing or rolling up various panels, but when in use, it means that you can change the panel configuration to suit your needs.

Similar to Vic, we use our cockpit as a saloon in the day and evenings and the canopy enables this, protecting us from the sun, rain and wind.

I've overspent on new sprayhoods and cockpit canopies on our last three boats, but once I had gotten past the shock of payment, I'd say it's always been the best value for money addition to any of our boats.

All this is from the point of view of wife and I cruising for pleasure. Racers wouldn't have the same view.

Garold

 

[dslittle]

I think that when designing them, it's worth considering lots of versatility. It costs more to include more zips for removing or rolling up various panels, but when in use, it means that you can change the panel configuration to suit your needs.

Similar to Vic, we use our cockpit as a saloon in the day and evenings and the canopy enables this, protecting us from the sun, rain and wind.

I've overspent on new sprayhoods and cockpit canopies on our last three boats, but once I had gotten past the shock of payment, I'd say it's always been the best value for money addition to any of our boats.

All this is from the point of view of wife and I cruising for pleasure. Racers wouldn't have the same view.

Garold

We are exactly the same. Best money she ever made me spend!!! The cockpit tent doubles our living space when moored up and provides a Reception area that doesn't matter if it gets wet. Great for getting the dog on board in the rain (or after swimming). Great for warm evening meals looking out early/late season - well all season last year... I am sure that it keeps the boat warmer as well, acting like a form of double glazing.
The creme de la creme is the inner canopy that is formed by having a second panel that comes off the back of the spray hood. That NEVER comes off and gives us the equivalent of a pilot house when doing night sailing. Warm and dry inside, easy to get in and out of with no restriction or compromise on sailing position. For sailing harmony it is great (apart from when I am standing at the helm as the rain lashes across me horizontally and she sits back in the warm and dry smiling at me. I do get offered regular warm drinks though!!!)