Ok, we hijacked Riley's thread, so let's start a new one regarding boat tents.
Here are some pics of a trial fit of my new pop-up tent.
Here's the side view. The white guy lines are temporary. The yellow lines that are still coiled are provided.
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Interior view. It almost fills my sleeping platform which is what I wanted. A one person tent would fit better but not offer near as much room for gear and movement.
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The tent will not go all the way to the stern due to the mizzen. I could remove that but simplicity is the order of the day. Hence, the tent extends about a foot beyond my platform in the front. I think I can live with that. The mast, yard, and sail get in the way a bit; but that's manageable. I do have to let them hang over the bow.
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Because a frame runs around the entire bottom of the tent and is kind of spring loaded, the tent wants to rise up fore and aft. I believe that can be solved with a couple short lines in the front and simple weight of gear in the rear of the tent.
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I'm going to attach two eye straps to the transom to be able to tie off the rear guylines. I can tie off the fore lines to a line I have running just under the inwale. I believe tying off these four lines as well as weight in the rear and 2 tie-downs on the front edge will keep it fairly taught and help to shed rain.
I think it's going to work. Now to "field" test it in the rain.
Laughing with you about the synchronicity! ;D Thank you for hijacking Riley's thread. ;) I had wondered about buying one of these tents and you inspired me to give one a try. At the cost of a decent meal out it seemed to be a no brainer. Too bad we weren't able to combine the threads. The Scamp has lots of dry storage, so the smaller tent fits the bill for me. I also like that it could be set up on shore if you wanted too.
Did you fold it up while on the boat?
Quote from: Doug SC on Jun 26, 2025, 01:37 PMDid you fold it up while on the boat?
No, but I'm pretty sure it can be done. I've got the fold-up process memorized in three steps: 1)fold in and over, 2) press left in and down and simultaneously press right out and down [which creates a figure 8], 3) fold over the figure 8. Presto!
Sure seems like those poles should break. I've read at least one review where it did break. I've folded it up three times so far.
I'm pretty good with spatial things, but folding up those kinds of figure eight-y things (like car windshield sunshades) is always a matter of luck for me!
I love the boats. I think the small tents are good.
But I don't understand what is done when there is a decent wind that will be at wind and boat. And human.
Quote from: Noemi - Ensenada 20 on Jun 27, 2025, 03:19 PMI'm pretty good with spatial things, but folding up those kinds of figure eight-y things (like car windshield sunshades) is always a matter of luck for me!
It is tricky. If you watch the videos people do struggle. I studied the one that comes with the tent and got the steps down, so it's going ok for me. It still seems odd that those poles don't break.
Quote from: Norm L. on Jun 27, 2025, 05:58 PMI love the boats. I think the small tents are good.
But I don't understand what is done when there is a decent wind that will be at wind and boat. And human.
I guess the same could be said for the homemade tents that fit over a boom. My tent will be secured to the boat with at least 4 (2 fore and 2 aft), if not 6 lines. I'm imagining a big blow/gust will mishapen the tent for the duration of the gust (those poles are pretty flexible); but I can't see it blowing away unless you're talking gale force wind. Again, wouldn't that create the same problem with other style tents?
We've got a week of thunderstorm weather forecasted. I just may try to catch one of them - LOL! Wish me luck.
Norm that is a very real concern and I agree. I also have my canvas tent that is much more streamlined. Thank you for expressing your concern.
These are small boats, and I won't be anchored out in a bay during a storm. They can be readily beached and much of the camping will be close to land or actually beached while sleeping on the boat. I defiantly won't be anchored out with the popup in stormy weather. I wouldn't trust this tent even on land to stay upright. I have years of backpacking experience and know the difference between a mountaineering tent design and a popup. For me the point of using this tent is ventilation and bug protection more than storm protection. Hopefully some moderate rain protection but I don't think it will be particularly good in high wind and heavy rain without a tarp tied down well to cover it. I have that covered with my canvas tent design which will be easy to take down in bad weather and heading for cover. However, I do not plan on sleeping in the tent on the water if those are the prevailing conditions anyway. I do believe in hoping for the best but planning for the worst.
As for the Scamp It was designed to be particularly seaworthy for such a small boat. I don't know if you are familiar with Howard Rice sailing his Scamp in the Straits of Magellan. The boat survived some major weather that he almost didn't. It is quite the story. The Argentine Coast Guard that rescued him stayed held up in a cove overnight about 10 miles from where he abandoned ship because they didn't want to risk their ship. He abandoned ship after he righted it the third time after being hit by 3 or 4 waterspouts while at anchor. I don't intend to do anything close to that, but it is good to know the little boat will have my back. I will post a few links I think you will enjoy of sailing the Scamp in Tasmania and capsize recovery.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGVFW86Jot8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhpa6kqhCfY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRZNWAkdkXM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpEajuFIUOA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzYJ0EwzJxw
Norm, A most valid concern.
Like everything else in the SCAMP Universe, there is a plethora of opinions and solutions.
The aforementioned SCAMP Guru, Howard Rice, had three different covers for his heavily modified SCAMP.
A Road Cover:
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A heavy weather tent:
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And what he used on his expedition.
And a lighter weather tent:
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And various SCAMP owners use some variation of the two extremes:
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(Don't know as I would EVER leave my boom/sail/yard athwart-ships, like that!) :o
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And even hybrids involving the Bimini top:
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As far behind as I am on my build, :'( I have PLENTY of Time, to mull over the trade-offs! :o
I agree with Doug; light use, in fair weather or when beaching is not an option.
And something heavier, when it's time to batten down the hatches.
Otherwise, I favor the type that simply extend past the cabin top, for heavier weather.
Hope this provides some insights,
Charles Brennan
Great pics, Charles, of those various tents.
Contrary to conventional wisdom, I still intend to see what my tent will do. Maybe in the driveway, but I want to test mine in a thunderstorm. I'm planning a major cruise that will take days which means the possibility of heavy weather. I need to see what it will do. We had a big storm tonight but we're in the middle of VBS so wasn't able to do it.
Captain, I commend your due diligence. Really, I think a firsthand experience beats conjecture. I think a driveway test is a good idea. You might want to take the mast down if there is lightning. I am looking forward to your report. I also want to thank you for posting about these popup tents. I look forward to using mine. With the fan running and the doors and windows open I was comfortable in the high 80s. I headed home about 1 so didn't experience the day's high temps. If you don't have a boat battery on board. I think a power bank and one of these fans would work well together. It is very quiet and puts out a good breeze on all 3 setting levels.
Quote from: Doug SC on Jun 27, 2025, 11:09 PMIf you don't have a boat battery on board. I think a power bank and one of these fans would work well together.
At a festival this weekend, I saw a couple of battery-powered fans that connect to power tool batteries. The one next to me ran for most of the day! I need to find some of those.
Quote from: Noemi - Ensenada 20 on Jun 29, 2025, 08:47 PMAt a festival this weekend, I saw a couple of battery-powered fans that connect to power tool batteries. The one next to me ran for most of the day! I need to find some of those.
Now that sounds intriguing and very doable with little weight involved.
Here are 2 options for small portable fans that I have. The white one 0n the left uses 2 D cell batteries. It will run all night for 2 or 3 nights. It has gone car, canoe, and kayak camping in the summer with me for years. A first one like this took 6 D cell batteries and would run all night for about a week but was heavy. The one on the left is a USB plug in desk fan which on the boat with the battery makes more sense as it eliminates the disposable batteries. In the photo I have it attached to a rechargeable power bank I use to recharge a phone when away for a power scorch. It is 10,000mAh but you can get ones with much more power. Here are two I am considering at the moment. The first is 27,000mAh and the second with the solar charging capability is 36,800mAh but bulkier.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DRYN1S4H/?coliid=I153T3RDKAQLGK&colid=19ARYS9922JV9&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it&th=1
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D3L6YCBR/?coliid=I1J0T993JZ781M&colid=19ARYS9922JV9&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it&th=1
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I bought a solar powered cell phone charger before my fall P'cola trip.
https://www.amazon.com/Solar-Power-Charger-Flashlight-Splashproof/dp/B07FDXDB3W?pd_rd_w=2txAT&content-id=amzn1.sym.55c0153f-1fb7-42ff-8241-d1c0f3732289&pf_rd_p=55c0153f-1fb7-42ff-8241-d1c0f3732289&pf_rd_r=R5RT8ZFNDMBFZHMZ7ZF8&pd_rd_wg=VQDZ1&pd_rd_r=7466ce80-920f-4bcb-9799-44cac37d0d9b&ref_=sspa_dk_detail_sbb_img_2&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWxfdGhlbWF0aWM&th=1
Not a lot of storage and it takes a whopping 52 hours to fully charge in the sun!!!! I also have a hand-held charger that when fully charged will charge my phone about 4 times. Both of these will go with me when I take a multi-day trip.
I don't plan on needing a lot of power. Basically keep my phone up. Otherwise, LED lights powered with Dollar Tree batteries. Granted a fan might be nice...
For lighting I started using the original Luci solar light when they first came out. I bought the Outdoor 2-way USB-A port for lighting and charging my phone. They USB charge in 2-3 hours and solar charge in 14 hours of direct sunlight so probably double that or more in a real situation. They will shine 50 hours on low, 24 hours on medium and 5 hours on high. They collapse from about 6 inches to 1 1/2", float, and are waterproof. I bought 3 one for Caroll and 2 I use camping they were $35 now $50. I have had them for about 8 years, and they still work. I haven't bought a battery for camp lighting since then. I like that they are double duty. Rechargeable 2000 mAh Li-ion battery. however I use them mostly for lighting.
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Captain Kidd, I bought that same 1, very happy with it. Mine doesn't have the induction charging, but it's the same thing. It has the 4 different cables popped into the back of it. Very well thought out product.
Late to the party, but hijack away. Nice enclosures all. My primary concern would be keeping insects at bay, and of course rain if it came to that. And storage size and the ease of putting it to use.
A lot going on in these two tent threads. I'm going to have to study the lights, fans, and chargers posts some. I must admit that I'm weak on the electrical parts.
I set my tent up again today hoping to see how it would perform in the rain. It rained twice today. I wasn't able to get in it during those rains but afterwards it seemed ok.
I took the time to figure out my tie-down/strap-down plan. I added four eye straps for points to attach the stern guy lines. All total I have 9 attachment points: 5 forward and 4 aft. Here are a few more pics. They will look very similar to the first ones posted but those had the temporary tie-downs.
From the side you can see the tent is fairly taught.
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I did get in it and it is very roomy. This view may give you an idea of the space inside. The tent is 8-1/2' front to back and 42" tall at the tallest point. I guess I have 4-1/2' width. The side windows open from the inside. A big plus!
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Here are my attachment points forward. I bought small carabiners. It may make it a little simpler and quicker to set up. The forward lines are attached to a line that I ran under my inwale. The bottom is attached with a piece of 3/4" velcro run through little blocks that I included in my build for just such purposes. A little later I stretched a loop on the leading edge of the tent over the daggerboard blank. Worked nicely.
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I added the eye straps in the stern. Two on the edge of my seat and two on the transom. They're all out of the way and small. I added a little 4200 to each one. I'll be able to attach these from inside the tent since it has a door at both ends. Very convenient.
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With the two showers we had today, I saw just how much water the boat is going to collect with any substantial rain. I have a decent hand pump but it will take some doing even with that. Makes you appreciate self-draining cockpits!
The setup and takedown is going to be fairly straightforward and easy. I got in the boat to put the tent away. No issues.
Can't wait to "field" test it.
I am glad to see that your tent kept the rain out. That's a real plus! Also, I will probably add a few more guy lines because keeping the roof taut will help it shed water. My other concern is high winds and extra guy lines should help offset the pole flexibility.
I still think I will buy or make a small canvas tarp to put over the boom just in case heavy rain and high winds do become an issue. Or if that is in the forecast use the canvas boat tent I made. I put no-se-um mesh screen in the ports and around the tiller entry through the transom, so I could get some needed through air circulation and keep the bugs out of my canvas tent. I have the fans because I knew I would need them to sleep comfortably under the canvas in hot weather, and it would help reduce any condensation. Which may also be needed in the popup tent.
I am glad that the Scamp has a self-draining cockpit. Captain, a small electric bailer with a small battery in a waterproof case might come in handy. I have seen versions that are used in white water canoes and sea kayaks but never pursued actually using one in my boats.
On the Luci light most don't have phone charging capabilities and cost about $25. We use them for power outages at home as well camping. If you don't want to set up a boat electrical system the small power banks and these lights can suffice for phone, fan, and lighting. They are what I use kayak camping.
I case you aren't aware of this type of power option. There are Small power stations like Jackery and Code Zero and videos on how to build your own. I picked one up for the house for power outages, then realized they would also work for boating. You would want them in a "waterproof box" if capsize was a possibility. Here is an ad for the one I have. They make larger more powerful ones, but I wanted something small enough to carry in the car for family camping yet with enough power to run a few things. I happen to have a 100W solar panel that I can use on the Scamp or at home and these power stations can be charged with solar panels.
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More to ponder and digest. Thanks for the tips and suggestions.
Quote from: Captain Kidd on Jul 01, 2025, 11:26 PMMore to ponder and digest. Thanks for the tips and suggestions.
Aha! I'd love to have one of those for power outages....
The Luci Light I posted below is now on sale at REI.com there are also other options at REI. I haven't any experience with Luminaid but a friend seems to like theirs. Like some say they aren't the best for a phone charger, but they are really good for lighting the ones that don't charge phones are less expensive. I do like the ones I have. and use them for camp lighting and power outages. I also like the fact that they can put a charge on a phone if needed. Power banks work better for that.
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