New tent

[Captain Kidd]

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.

[Doug SC]

Laughing with you about the synchronicity! 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?

[Captain Kidd]

Did 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.

[Noemi - Ensenada 20]

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!

[Norm L.]

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.

[Captain Kidd]

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!

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.

[Captain Kidd]

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.

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.

[Doug SC]

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

[Charles Brennan]

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!) 

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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! 

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