Tent envy, At first then not so much

[Uricanejack]

Just back from our first weekend away sailing this year. We have been out for a few day sails.
Its still early in the season so it was quiet every where. Unfortunately a lot of the seasonal business were still closed in one of our destinations.
Just a few other boats out on the water this weekend. Mostly motor boats but a few sailors. Headed out Friday afternoon. Didn’t get far wind was very light and variable. Still managed to sail to one of my favourite anchorages in Montague Harbour. Nice evening walk around the park with the dog.

Saturday, took the dog for a walk in the rain. Her indoors, stayed indoors and decreed we should just stay where we were. I wanted to go sailing so I went sailing.

Lots of showers, some quite heavy. Wife and teenagers stayed indoors playing I pods and I pads. While I sailed single handed with just the dog to keep me company. I was making between half a knot and 3 knots occasionally, and getting wet. Took me all afternoon to sail to Conover Cove. Could have done it in 20 minutes in my run about.
I was passed by a couple of motor cruisers and a couple of stick boats. There was one other fool sailing of on the horizon making just about as little progress as me.

I don’t have a dodger or spray hood, most of the other sail boats I saw had fully enclosed cockpit tents. I was thinking it would be nice to have a dodger. An enclosed cockpit tent would be even nicer.

I got to my destination The dog and I went for another walk in the rain after I put a tarp over the boom and we dried out the cockpit. Put the Barbeque on and had a chat with the other boaters. A nice fellow from Bellingham on his way to Glacier Bay. And some Ladies out for a girls weekend on a nice Trawler

Sunday morning. I took the dog for a walk in the rain again. The chap from Bellingham had left for Alaska. A nice little hunter came in. with a very nice cockpit tent and a nice chap who was warm and dry. Again I felt a bit envious. Particularly since it was just chucking it down and I had to get home so teenagers could put the I pods down and go to school on Monday morning.

My plan on departing was just to motor home and get it over with. No enthusiasm from anyone but the dog.

Pulled out the shelter of the cove and into a F3 to F4 headwind still raining heavily. Flood tide, flood wind so what? Instant change of plan, both sails up engine of f.
As soon as I had the boat heeled over despite the rain both teenagers came out and joined the dog and I on deck.
We had a great sail home. Turns out a good fetch the starboard tack almost taking me straight down the channel. I only had to tack back across once. Rain or no rain my ancient Henri Lloyd kept me dry enough. My teenagers were now interested and dry enough. The lack of dodger or tent still left me with a bit of envy.

I only passed about 4 sail boats it was a very quite day. They were all fully enclosed by their tents warm and dry and under power. I was having a great time with the boat going flat out.
I passed only one other fool sailing in the rain. It was one of those old home made trimarans. I think he was having fun to.

Wasn’t envying the tents anymore. I was wondering why they weren’t sailing. If they had been motoring straight into the wind, I could see why not. Why not take advantage of a favourable wind?

Do cockpit tents just get in the way to much?

A dodger would still be nice.

 

[Tomahawk]

We hae a bimini thqt overs the middle third of the cockpit, which is pretty wide. Also have sides whichnwe can fix to tent in the entire area when we are not sailing.

The top does keep us dry when it is pouring cats and dogs.

 

[prv]

We have a sprayhood (dodger in American) and wouldn't be without it in rain, spray, or cold wind. Two people can sit under it and remain perfectly dry (even the teak seats stay dry) and anyone further aft still gets some shelter from wind and spray. Plus of course the companionway can remain open without soaking the saloon.

We also have a fitted cockpit tent. This is great when moored or anchored in wet weather - we generally keep the area aft of the wheel as damp, for wet oilies etc, and the forward part quickly dries out and gives us another room. Unless it's freezing cold, I generally roll up the leeward flap (port, starboard, or aft) giving an effect somewhat like a covered veranda - gives a better view and is also easier to get in and out.

However, one thing I do not do is have the cockpit tent up while under way. I tried it once, but despite the plastic windows on all sides and boat's own glass windscreen, the visibility is just not good enough to keep a safe lookout. After getting more and more stressed about what I couldn't see, I had to unzip the tent and drop it, and was immediately relieved.

Pete

 

[scottie]

We have a sprayhood (dodger in American) and wouldn't be without it in rain, spray, or cold wind. Two people can sit under it and remain perfectly dry (even the teak seats stay dry) and anyone further aft still gets some shelter from wind and spray. Plus of course the companionway can remain open without soaking the saloon.

We also have a fitted cockpit tent. This is great when moored or anchored in wet weather - we generally keep the area aft of the wheel as damp, for wet oilies etc, and the forward part quickly dries out and gives us another room. Unless it's freezing cold, I generally roll up the leeward flap (port, starboard, or aft) giving an effect somewhat like a covered veranda - gives a better view and is also easier to get in and out.

However, one thing I do not do is have the cockpit tent up while under way. I tried it once, but despite the plastic windows on all sides and boat's own glass windscreen, the visibility is just not good enough to keep a safe lookout. After getting more and more stressed about what I couldn't see, I had to unzip the tent and drop it, and was immediately relieved.

Pete

Tempted to ask who took over?

 

[johnalison]

After sailing for thirty years without sprayhood, tent or dodgers we finally succumbed in 2000. I always relished being out in the air in our Sadler 29 but senility has taken over and I take comfort in our tent. It is amazing how quickly it warms up with a little sunshine on a cold day but I don't relish the idea of trying to make any kind of passage with it up.

 

[Heckler]

Tempted to ask who took over?

I fitted one 3 years ago, SWMBO designed it so that we could sail with it up. She wanted one after a sail to Ireland with the wind and rain coming from astern. We were soaking and miserable. Our friends sailed there with us with theirs up in light jackets!
We wouldnt sail with it down now. The sides roll up and for tacking they roll up halfway. The only issue I have had was once in a very bumpy Bristol Channel at night when I felt a bit queasy. Unzipping one side a bit solved that.
Stu

 

[prv]

I fitted one 3 years ago, SWMBO designed it so that we could sail with it up.

To be clear, it would be technically possible to sail with ours up, it doesn't block any of the running rigging. I just get very uncomfortable being unable to keep a proper lookout from inside the thing.

Pete

 

[Uricanejack]

I must admit it would be nice to have a tent when in dock and would certainly increase our living space. some years ago I had a power boat out with a tent enclosed fly bridge. the trip home I had a visibility problem with rain and spray and opened the front up so I could see.

I noticed most tents have opening at the bottom for sheets and spray hoods still have lines led aft to the cockpit under them.
I was wondering if the restricted visibility made seeing the sails, luff, telltales and the like difficult discouraging sailing.

Most boats here have dodgers or spray hoods. Mine didn’t have one when I bought it. While I would have preferred to have one. I can see better without it. While sitting at the wheel. Even so its on my wish list. Unfortunately my wish list is still quite long and I have other more immediate wishes.

 

[Heckler]

I must admit it would be nice to have a tent when in dock and would certainly increase our living space. some years ago I had a power boat out with a tent enclosed fly bridge. the trip home I had a visibility problem with rain and spray and opened the front up so I could see.

I noticed most tents have opening at the bottom for sheets and spray hoods still have lines led aft to the cockpit under them.
I was wondering if the restricted visibility made seeing the sails, luff, telltales and the like difficult discouraging sailing.

Most boats here have dodgers or spray hoods. Mine didn’t have one when I bought it. While I would have preferred to have one. I can see better without it. While sitting at the wheel. Even so its on my wish list. Unfortunately my wish list is still quite long and I have other more immediate wishes.

Ive got a window in the top, can see all that I want from inside, I wupped a 473 in a straight race over a 20 mile passage so it doesn't hamper me from sailing!
Stu

 

[Lakesailor]

Sounds like you should all go down this route......

 

[Colvic Watson]

Family sailing? Nicer with a wheelhouse - extra saloon, comfort in all weathers, still got an aft deck for sunny weather. Downside? Windage against the wind and windage in the marina.