Greenheart
Well-Known Member
Good idea. I'd be surprised if that hasn't crossed their minds. Westerly owners must be a big local market share for them.
The HABITENT cockpit-cover at the boat show
- Thread starter Greenheart
- Start date
Good idea. I'd be surprised if that hasn't crossed their minds. Westerly owners must be a big local market share for them.
RobBrown
Well-Known Member
Fits a Moody 29
I purchased one early this summer following a thread on the Moody Owners Association site & Cantata's article. The M-S version fits my Moody 29 and we are very happy with it from a cost -benfit pov, esp given the exceedingly poor weather we had throughout most of our family sailing holiday in July, when 4 adults on board for 2 weeks- gave us extra space and retreat room even in the foul weather and probably saved the lives of several of the crew (or me!). Could not possibly afford the alternative of a full acrylic cockpit tent- @ 4+ x the price.
I purchased one early this summer following a thread on the Moody Owners Association site & Cantata's article. The M-S version fits my Moody 29 and we are very happy with it from a cost -benfit pov, esp given the exceedingly poor weather we had throughout most of our family sailing holiday in July, when 4 adults on board for 2 weeks- gave us extra space and retreat room even in the foul weather and probably saved the lives of several of the crew (or me!). Could not possibly afford the alternative of a full acrylic cockpit tent- @ 4+ x the price.
FullCircle
Well-Known Member
Full Circle will also be sporting a Habitent shortly.
I thought they are well made, with nice touches from the tent manufacturer who makes them under contract.
£320 +£12 for the LED fairy lights.
I thought they are well made, with nice touches from the tent manufacturer who makes them under contract.
£320 +£12 for the LED fairy lights.
VicMallows
Well-Known Member
Maybe I'm old-fashioned, but I really felt that for use on a boat it should be made of heavyweight canvas. Of course, that would increase the cost dramatically. Even then it would have to be somewhere really sheltered before I would ever consider deploying it.
FullCircle
Well-Known Member
Please read PBO article.
All winter on liveaboard with several 40kt storms - no issue.
Also, it folds down to a stowable size unlike full cockpit tents
Sgeir
Well-Known Member
A few weeks ago we enjoyed the onboard hospitality of Posters of the Parish who had a Habitent. We were impressed and it does what it is designed to do which (I think) is to create additional dry space while at anchor.
We looked into it further but decided not to proceed, not on grounds of cost - it compares favourably with hand knitted sprayhood extensions/tents - but because we did not feel that it would be sufficiently robust to stand up a sudden change in the weather and strong winds. A proper tent/conservatory would cost a lot more, but I'd certainly be more confident about its robustness. It's a compromise, so while economy and ease of erection, I use the term advisedly, are positives, the apparent lack of robustness seemed a bit of a likely downer, IMHO. Faced with this detailed cost benefit analysis we reverted to our usual default option and did nothing.
I'd be genuinely interested to hear how they stand up in suddenly adverse conditions and how they perform over, say, three to five years or more. In practice, they could turn out to be lot better than my expectations.
We looked into it further but decided not to proceed, not on grounds of cost - it compares favourably with hand knitted sprayhood extensions/tents - but because we did not feel that it would be sufficiently robust to stand up a sudden change in the weather and strong winds. A proper tent/conservatory would cost a lot more, but I'd certainly be more confident about its robustness. It's a compromise, so while economy and ease of erection, I use the term advisedly, are positives, the apparent lack of robustness seemed a bit of a likely downer, IMHO. Faced with this detailed cost benefit analysis we reverted to our usual default option and did nothing.
I'd be genuinely interested to hear how they stand up in suddenly adverse conditions and how they perform over, say, three to five years or more. In practice, they could turn out to be lot better than my expectations.
Greenheart
Well-Known Member
Seems to me, the Habitent isn't meant to replace traditional robust ocean-proven dodgers & sprayhoods; but as a reasonably tough, reasonably well-fitting, reasonably-priced means to extend the living area of yachts, it's hard to think how better one might spend £360.
How about those small yachts discussed hereabouts lately, whose owners enjoy inviting friends aboard, without even going anywhere? At the first sniff of rain, EVERYONE's in the saloon, making a cramped fug. A decent cover-all cockpit tent is always much more civilised.
How about those small yachts discussed hereabouts lately, whose owners enjoy inviting friends aboard, without even going anywhere? At the first sniff of rain, EVERYONE's in the saloon, making a cramped fug. A decent cover-all cockpit tent is always much more civilised.
GBSE
New Member
Just bought a Habitent NS a few weeks ago. I am very impressed with the unit and it's design, strength and flexibility. I put it in place in my wintering spot in the Med recently and it made a huge difference to living onboard. Sorry I didn't get one at the beginning of winter. My Cape Dory 30C has a very convenient traveller running across the coach roof for'ard of the main hatch, eliminating the need for the tie-down loop. No need either to remove the mainsheet tackle or dispose of the boom. The tie down strap at the stern hugs the afterdeck perfectly when run through the fair leads and behind the pushpit stanchions. Still working on the side deck tie-down systems to enable easy access from the bow in a Med mooring configuration - nothing that a few pad eyes would not cure but I want to avoid extraneous fittings. When I dismantled the unit, I even managed to get it back in the bag which is not much bigger than a rugby ball. When I go sailing again next month with the unit packed away down below until the next anchorage, my boat will be back to its natural configuration as designed by Carl Alberg. Beats me sometimes when I see beautifully designed sailboats traveling around with ugly garden sheds out the back. I often think many of those owners would be better off with motor boats.
capnsensible
Well-Known Member
We bought our live on yacht 16 years ago complete with cockpit tent. Have redesigned a few times and now on third covers. Got rid of the fancy bits and now have a storm proof and totally dry conservatory. Needs weekly inside cleaning though, mould is your enemy. Yes I do know about ventilation, quite a lot actually!.
Our last and best covers on for a year now, about £1400 and worth every penny!!
Our last and best covers on for a year now, about £1400 and worth every penny!!
zikzik
Well-Known Member
I also have a Habitent, bought a couple of years ago. Its a poor fit on a small Contessa 26, but I knew it would be when I bought it. Even their smaller version. It works though. I had it up all winter 12/13 in some very bad weather and it took it all. It is not designed to be sailed or motored while fitted.