The HABITENT cockpit-cover at the boat show

[Greenheart]

Did anybody see the "Habitent" at Southampton? Evidently the couple who started the idea had only lately discovered boats, but their adaptation of tough tent-technology to create an overall cockpit cover that isn't custom-fitted and fearfully expensive, seems smart.

Certainly it won't allow the use of the sails; in fact the chap seemed to say the best seafaring advice prohibited its use even whilst under power. But as a way to add another good-sized living space to the accommodation whilst moored, for under £400, it looked great.

 

[Tranona]

Article from a satisfied user of the product in this months PBO. Trip to WH Smith required to keep you up to date with what is going on.

 

[Greenheart]

Article from a satisfied user of the product in this months PBO. Trip to WH Smith required to keep you up to date with what is going on.

Thanks, I'll stay in the dark.

Surprising that the Habitent sales-couple didn't mention the article...

 

[oldbilbo]

Thanks, I'll stay in the dark.

Surprising that the Habitent sales-couple didn't mention the article...

Nice people. They did when I spoke with them. They're probably tired...

 

[Tranona]

Thanks, I'll stay in the dark.

Surprising that the Habitent sales-couple didn't mention the article...

You can read without buying like loads of others - and it is usually on a lower shelf so you don't have to stretch!

 

[Greenheart]

You can read without buying like loads of others - and it is usually on a lower shelf so you don't have to stretch!

I wouldn't stoop so low!

Can't stand the way SWMBO reads mags in stores, while I'm doing the shopping...and the mags are all thumbed afterwards...

The Habitent couple certainly seemed to have been surprised that no such product was already in widespread use. Considering how ready and resourceful sailing folk often are, making sprayhoods and dodgers, it's oddly rare that one sees a complete cockpit cover.

My own humble cruising ambitions require so small a cabin that I'd have to accept sleeping in the cockpit when my guests take the settee berths. Fine with me, except I'd assumed I'd have to draw and cut and sow the canvas of the tent I'd need for my bedroom ceiling...

...the Habitent couple said they'd found an enthusiastic market abroad, for the tents. I'm sure it'd suit me here, too.

 

[Moonshining]

I wouldn't stoop so low!

Can't stand the way SWMBO reads mags in stores, while I'm doing the shopping...and the mags are all thumbed afterwards...

The Habitent couple certainly seemed to have been surprised that no such product was already in widespread use. Considering how ready and resourceful sailing folk often are, making sprayhoods and dodgers, it's oddly rare that one sees a complete cockpit cover.

My own humble cruising ambitions require so small a cabin that I'd have to accept sleeping in the cockpit when my guests take the settee berths. Fine with me, except I'd assumed I'd have to draw and cut and sow the canvas of the tent I'd need for my bedroom ceiling...

...the Habitent couple said they'd found an enthusiastic market abroad, for the tents. I'm sure it'd suit me here, too.

I like the idea, but there's a lot of faff going on there in putting it up. It looks like something that's waiting for a Mk II version.

 

[Greenheart]

True, it didn't seem to be shown to best effect at the show, unfortunately...maybe it was the breezy corner it was set up in, and lack of support-structure. But, surely it's no more 'faff' than tents ashore, especially if one has the boom above, to supply a stable 'hoist'?

With the tent windows unzipped, it looks like a perfect temporary conversion from cockpit to conservatory; as open as you like, or fairly draughtproof for overnights in sheltered anchorages. Where's this product been, all these years?

View attachment 20828

 

[onesea]

I like the idea, but there's a lot of faff going on there in putting it up. It looks like something that's waiting for a Mk II version.

I bought something like this for the summer from Tesco's.

£40 easy to pop up can take it to the beach and move it around to create shade...
Just make sure you get one without a "floor" and practice putting it down in private .

 

[Greenheart]

Hmm. Not sure I'd want to look for a cheapo pop-up tent that'd fit the cockpit of, say, a Westerly Centaur or Achilles 24...

...the Habitent folds down smaller than most sails, but it genuinely would cover the cockpit of most smallish yachts...and exclude wind and rain. How many summer holidays in rainy English waters might be improved, if dry places to sit aren't limited to the saloon?

Imagine being on any 26-footer in an anchorage for 36 hours with kids aboard. A decent cockpit tent might make the difference between a cheerful weekend for all, and a "never-to-be-repeated" nightmare.

 

[onesea]

Imagine being on any 26-footer in an anchorage for 36 hours with kids aboard. A decent cockpit tent might make the difference between a cheerful weekend for all, and a "never-to-be-repeated" nightmare.

When I was a kid, given weather like that our parents went to the pub and left us with our crabbing lines on the pier , or waiting in the porch at the local sailing club, or given a couple of quid to go shopping and find a toy to keep me quite, or skimming stones on the beach, or rowing the dinghy round the dock this normally ended with me looking after the laundry at the laundrette whilst our cloths dried , ...

I have not seen product in question, just commented on what worked for us and was frequently requested by my daughter this summer (although we did get the 1 sunny week for our holiday ).

It did not cover the whole cockpit but made it more clement when we where in it...

 

[Steve Clayton]

We spent some time looking and discussing the habi-tent. They are maintaining the boat show price for 2 months beyond the show. Seems that have found a niche market and should do well. We a re seriously thinking about it - given our current "marine awning" looks like this:

 

[fireball]

Cockpit tent is excellent - ours is ready to be put up all the time and more often than not it is up ...
It extends the time you can spend in the cockpit - it is lighter and offers a place where you can get in with wet clothing without worrying about getting everything else wet. It keeps the wind off too.. if it is too hot and sunny then it can be put up and the sides rolled up to provide shade.

It takes less than 5 minutes to deploy as ours folds back when not in use.

Anyone in two minds as to whether to get a cockpit enclosure can be assured of its usefulness ...

 

[Searush]

I added a full cockpit cover to SR a couple of years back. It cost around £1200, but does include 2 seperate & independant sprayhoods with a zip-off central cover. It has roll-up sides & can be used for motoring but you still tend to get spray in thro one side if both are rolled up.

SR is a ketch so the cockpit tent wouldn't have suited us & the 2 sprayhoods concept is great, You can sail with either or both up or down & having both up makes a huge difference to the shelter in the cockpit on a windy day.

The extra room in the cockpit is somewhere to sit/ eat, to put wet oilies or tea towels to dry overnight, we have even put the dirty dishes & pans out of the way to deal with in the morning so they are not "in the face" of guests while we chat after dinner.

A cup of coffee in the moring with the sheltered side rolled up can be a real treat & gives the girls a bit of privacy for morning preparations. It really is a usefull bit of kit.

Windage? yes sure, but it's not significant at anchor when you are head to wind so it's no different to a sprayhood, the biggest issue might be trying to manouver in a marina (or busy moorings) with it all up in strong winds. But you don't have to do that, just put it away before trying to get in/out. Even if it's raining, the cockpit will soon dry out once you are suitably esconced & put it up again.

 

[Cantata]

We've got a Habitent. Pretty pleased with it for what we wanted, which is an enclosure for occasional use when cruising.
Sure a proper cockpit tent is better but costs mega-bucks these days.
I wrote a review for East Coast Sailing, you can find it here.

 

[Malish]

We spent some time looking and discussing the habi-tent. They are maintaining the boat show price for 2 months beyond the show.

Ok, so what is the boat show price? on their web site the price is listed as £360 (inc VAT + shipping)

 

[Wandering Star]

Ok, so what is the boat show price? on their web site the price is listed as £360 (inc VAT + shipping)

I was quoted £320 and told they'd hold that price until I've had time to take the various measurements which I can't do until end of October.

Cheers, Brian.

 

[Greenheart]

I'm not sure just how flexible the Habitent's dimensions are. But I noticed that when I said 'Centaur', the sellers' eyes lit up...I guess the idea of cornering the market in a product that offers a 50% addition to the accommodation of 2400 boats, is very appealing...

 

[gavin400]

I enquired about a Habitent, but wasn't sure it would fit my boat (even after sending the dimensions).

Habitent put a tent in the post for me so that I could try it.

It does fit (just), and I purcahsed one - but haven't had a chance to use it in anger as the weather has been too restrictive.

Excellent service from a company who appear genuinely willing to help their prospective customers.

 

[BlueChip]

I'm not sure just how flexible the Habitent's dimensions are. But I noticed that when I said 'Centaur', the sellers' eyes lit up...I guess the idea of cornering the market in a product that offers a 50% addition to the accommodation of 2400 boats, is very appealing...

Get them to offer to come to the WOA AGM and demonstrate it (and offer a deal). They would meet a greater concentration of Centaur owners there than anywhere else.