The idea of turning an ordinary inflatable boat into a full-fledged floating house for overnight stays attracts more and more water-motors. PVC boat with tent-tent It's not just an accessory, it's a sophisticated engineering system that allows you to fish comfortably for days or wait for bad weather far from the shore. Modern models of awnings allow you to deploy a full-fledged camp in minutes, hiding the crew from the wind, rain and intrusive insects.
However, the installation of a residential superstructure radically changes the sailing and stability of the vessel. Tent-tent It adds sailing, which requires the steering wheel to be more vigilant in the wind, while the right design offers a unique opportunity to spend the night on the water, listening to the waves and enjoying the dawn right off the board.
In this article, we will discuss in detail how to choose the ideal option for your boat, what technical nuances to pay attention to when installing and how to avoid common mistakes. Security And comfort goes hand in hand, and neglecting detail can ruin the whole experience of a water walk.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Floating Camping
The main trump card of use tent-tent PVC is autonomous. You're no longer tied to the coastline or the campsites. Mobile camp It allows you to anchor at the most catchy point or on a picturesque beach where you can't walk, and this is especially valuable for trophy fishing, when the peck can start in the pre-dawn hours.
But there's a downside to this, and if you put a bulky structure in place, it increases the weight of the boat and reduces the speed of the boat. rowing Or it's powered by a low-power engine, and it can become a slow-moving awning, and sailing becomes a critical factor, because a gust of wind can easily turn a light vessel over, unless you take precautions.
⚠️ Warning: Never leave a boat with a tent mounted on the water unattended in windy weather. High sailing can carry the boat to the middle of the pond or turn it over.
Despite the disadvantages, the comfort that gives entanglementThe ability to change, cook on a gas burner without fear of rain, or simply sleep horizontally in nature is a level of rest that is not available for normal day fishing.
Types of tent designs
The market of accessories for water motors offers several design options, each of which has its own specifications. Tranza models They are attached directly to the transom of the boats and occupy space in the cockpit, and they are ideal for short stops and day fishing, because they are quickly assembled and do not require complex installation.
More complex systems are folding-out They're in arcs that can turn into full-fledged double or even triple tents, and these models often have a vestibule, kitchen and sleeping spaces. Frame It is usually made of fiberglass or aluminum, which provides stiffness but adds weight.
- 🏕️ Tranza awnings: Simple, light, cover only the aft part, suitable for 1-2 people.
- ⛺ Extension tents: installed on board, increase the usable area, require the presence of a fence.
- 🚤 Full camping modules: complex systems with or without a floor, kitchen and sleeping bag, turning a boat into a catamaran house.
The choice depends on how much time you plan to spend in the boat. flatbedSleeping in a boat, curled up on the floor, is extremely uncomfortable.
The Secret to Sustainability
Why don't some awnings blow off by the wind? The secret is the lower braking system. If the awning has the ability to attach not only to the boat, but also to the anchor stretch marks or shore, its stability increases significantly. Look for models with additional luvers for storm drags.
Selection criteria: materials and fittings
When choosing tent-tent Oxford, a polyurethane-coated vessel, is the industry standard, and the density of the fabric must be at least 200-240 g/m2, otherwise the material will quickly become unusable under the influence of ultraviolet light and mechanical stress. Water-repellent impregnation (PU coating) is mandatory, it prevents wetting of the fabric and the formation of condensation inside.
The frame also requires attention. Aluminum arcs are preferable to steel arcs, because they don't rust in salt water and are lighter. However, steel is stronger at the break. connectorPlastic fittings become fragile in the cold, so it is best to avoid them in winter.
An important element is the ventilation system. tent It gets stuffy quickly, and the condensate settles on the walls, and having mosquito nets on the windows and vents at the top of the dome is not an option, it's a necessity.
- 💧 Waterproof: indicator of at least 2000 mm of water column guarantees dryness even in a shower.
- ☀️ UV protection: The tissue must have UV stabilizers, otherwise it will dry out in one season.
- 🔩 Fixtures: Preference give metal carbines and reliable Velcro straps, not only bundles.
Compatibility with boats of different sizes
There are no universal solutions. PVC boat with tent-tent It has to be tailored to a specific model, because a small boat that's too big will make it unstable, and a small boat that won't do its job, and for boats up to 3.2 meters long, the best compact transom options are the best. For boats that are 3.6 meters long or longer, we can already consider full-fledged transom options. folding-system.
The width of the cylinders also plays a role: on narrow boats (less than 140 cm), the installation of a wide awning can lead to an overhang, in such cases it is recommended to use remote structures or choose models with a minimum overhang over the sides. Centrification Loading is a critical safety parameter.
| Boat length (m) | Recommended type of tent | Capacity (person) | Features of installation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.7 - 3.2 | transom, simplified | 1-2 | Fixing on transom plates, minimum arcs |
| 3.3 - 3.8 | Full-size with arcs | 2-3 | Requires a perimeter fence |
| 3.9 - 4.5 | Camping module | 3-4 | Possible installation of a tambourine and kitchen |
| 4.5+ | Any type, including custom | 4+ | Bottom and boards need to be strengthened |
If you plan to use a boat with an outboard motor, make sure that the design of the awning does not block access to the boat. tiller Some models have special cutouts or windows to control the engine, which is extremely convenient when fishing in trolling mode.
Before buying an awning, measure the distance between the cylinders in the widest part of the cockpit. The spacer arcs should enter with a slight tension, but do not deform the cylinders excessively.
Installation and assembly instructions
First installation tent-tent It can take 20 to 40 minutes. Don't be afraid, with experience, this time is reduced to 5-7 minutes. The main thing is to act consistently and not make excessive efforts to avoid damaging the tissue or arcs.
Start by mounting a frame. Put the arcs together according to a pattern (usually numbered). Put the ends of the arcs in special pockets or mounts on cylinders. If the awning is transaxial, first fix the base on the transom, stretch the fabric and fix the arcs in the upper attachments.
⚠️ Warning: When installing arcs in cold weather (below -5C), be extremely careful. The material of the arcs and fabric become less elastic and can crack when bending sharply.